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Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI)

This guide provides an introduction to Generative Artificial Intelligence, originally created in Fall 2023 and updated in Winter 2024 by Librarian Greg Bem. Content based on Fall 2023 and Winter 2024 workshops developed by Greg Bem.

AI Guide Disclaimer

This guide was designed to support student learning at Spokane Community College. Its primary goal is to provide an introduction to understanding Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI)​. Consider this guide a steppingstone in a journey of Digital Literacy / technology education​. Note that this guide was created by a librarian and provides a general approach to learning about GenAI. This guide was not co-created with college administration or any specific academic programs or departments. Note that this guide was not created with the intention to promote GenAI as a universal technology solution. Students should critically think about technology tools and consider issues of use.

GenAI Basics

What is Artificial Intelligence (AI)?

"Artificial intelligence is a field of science concerned with building computers and machines that can reason, learn, and act in such a way that would normally require human intelligence or that involves data whose scale exceeds what humans can analyze. ​

"AI is a broad field that encompasses many different disciplines, including computer science, data analytics and statistics, hardware and software engineering, linguistics, neuroscience, and even philosophy and psychology."​

(Google)

What is Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI)?

"Generative AI refers to deep-learning models that can generate high-quality text, images, and other content based on the data they were trained on."

(IBM)

What is Generative AI? Video

Qualities of GenAI Tools

  • "Trained" on large sets of data (millions+ of documents)​
  • Utilizes "Large Learning Models (LLM)" (eg. "Generative Pre-Trained Transformer 3")​
  • Requires user input to create some form of output​
  • Developed by for-profit companies, non-profit organizations, and individuals​
  • Platforms can be free, paid, or both​
  • Mostly available through web browsers, mobile apps​

Common GenAI Output Types

  • Plain text​
  • Stylized text
  • Computer code​
  • Original image​
  • Edited image​
  • Animated image​
  • Video​
  • Music​

Prompts and Iterations

  • GenAI interfaces are similar to search engines​
  • The prompt is the phrase or keywords entered into search box​
  • Some tools have advanced features​
  • Iterative design offers a conversational approach to search​
  • Iterations can be limited (platform control, cost, etc.)
  • A "Prompt engineer" is an emerging role / skill set​ that centers expertise in using prompts in a GenAI platform

A Selection of Popular GenAI Tools

Updated March 2024

 

Image Generation

The following links will take you to popular GenAI tools. A free or paid account may be required to generate images.

Practicing with free tools and viewing galleries for paid tools is a good way to familiarize yourself with the capabilities, look, and feel of AI image generators. You'll likely notice a difference between the tools, even those based in the same model. 

Free / Limited number free with account:

Paid account required:​

Updated June 2025

  • Integration of technology into more apps​/platforms, including various AI technologies brought into single interfaces (e.g. Bing Chat)
  • Consolidation of Language Learning Models (LLMs) into single apps
  • Input advancements, including Vision and Speech​
  • Apps available for offline access, including GPT4All
  • Costs are increasing with more advanced features