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Artificial Intelligence

Introduction

Welcome to the University of Manitoba’s library guide on artificial intelligence. This guide provides an overview of AI, its applications, ethical considerations, and resources for further learning. Designed as a starting point, it aims to be a valuable resource in your journey to understanding AI and its relevance to academic learning.

The University of Manitoba Libraries encourage students to explore the AI tools mentioned in this guide. While we do not offer technical or financial support for these tools, we recommend consulting with your instructor for guidance on how to use them effectively in your coursework.

OpenAI. (2024). ChatGPT (Aug 27, 2024 version) [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com/chat

What is AI?

AI, or artificial intelligence, refers to the simulation of human intelligence processes by machines, especially computer systems. It has been defined as "software used to perform tasks or produce output previously thought to require human intelligence, esp. by using machine learning to extrapolate from large collections of data" (Oxford English Dictionary, 2023).

From Wheatley, A & Hervieux, S. (2020). The AI family tree [diagram]. The LibrAIry. https://thelibrairy.wordpress.com/2020/05/12/the-ai-family-tree/. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
 
Generative AI (genAI) is "a sub-type of AI where new content is created or generated. This content can take the form of text, images, audio, video, code and more" (Wheatley & Hervieux, 2024). GenAI is illustrated in the green circles in the AI family tree above.

Acknowledgements

This library guide has reused content where noted, with permission, from McGill Library's Artificial Intelligence guide (Wheatley & Hervieux, 2024).