If you’ve read about the buzz surrounding chatbots like ChatGPT and image generators like Midjourney, you may have come across the term generative AI. The term is usually used to describe modern artificial intelligence systems that can mimic humans and perform complex tasks within seconds. Generative AI is particularly impressive in creative tasks like drawing and writing poetry, which computers have historically struggled with. But what has spurred the sudden explosion in generative AI and how does the technology work? Here’s everything you need to know.

What is generative AI?