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What is Generative AI?

To leverage the power of generative artificial intelligence (AI) for teaching and learning—and minimize negative impacts—it is important to understand how generative AI tools work. Here, we recommend some of the more accessible resources to help get you up to speed.

Learning Technologies
Updated December 2024
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Michael Palmer
Barbara Fried Director & Professor
Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost
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01

The Basics of Generative AI

TechTarget

An engaging animated tutorial on the nuts and bolts of generative AI, including a discussion of important terms, how generative AI and large-language models work, prompt engineering, and a possible future of AI.

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Michael Palmer

This animation is really well done and covers a lot ground. The level is pitched for both those new to generative AI and large language models and for those who already have some basic understanding. As a bonus, the video includes nice sections on prompt engineering and the future of AI: autonomous agents.

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Teaching Collaborations / Learning technology support
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02

How Large Language Models (LLMs) Work

Financial Times

A visual explanation for how generative AI uses Large Language Models (LLM) to create plausible and sophisticated text, images, and computer code at a level that mimics human ability.

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Michael Palmer

This visual essay--one of the clearest explanations of how large language models work--beautifully highlights the technical elegance, complexity, and problems associated with generative AI.

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As the technology is rapidly woven into our lives, understanding how LLMs generate text means understanding why these models are such versatile cognitive engines — and what else they can help create.

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03

Ways Generative AI Might Impact Pedagogical Innovation

Inside Higher Ed

This Inside Higher Ed opinion piece, leans on the Taxonomy of Pedagogical Innovation to critique how generative AI stacks up as a pedagogical innovation.

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Michael Palmer

I wrote this opinion piece for Inside Higher Ed to help shift the conversation from generative AI as technological innovation to a pedagogical one. It explores the potential outcomes, foci, risks, barriers and costs of generative AI in the context of recent higher education developments.

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Despite the attention generative artificial intelligence has received in higher education, it is often discussed solely as a technological innovation rather than a pedagogical one. However, viewing it through a pedagogical lens is crucial for understanding its full potential and the ways it will shape both teaching practices and student learning outcomes.

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04

What AI Can Do Today?

Inside Higher Ed

This up-to-date repository allows you to quickly find the perfect AI for the task at hand.

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Michael Palmer

It's convenient to use ChatGPT, CoPilot, or Claude for all your AI needs, but in the AI world one size definitely does not fit all. With thousands of specialized AIs on the market, it's hard to find the best one for the job. I like "What AI Can Do Today?" because it uses AI to help you quickly search and filter over 5,500 tools and 30,000 unique tasks.

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