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AI Library Workshop: Definitions

This workshop is for students or anyone who wants to learn to use Gen AI ethically, effectively, and responsibly.

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Definitions to Know

Adapted from Glossary of Artificial Intelligence Terms for Educators (6)

Popular Gen AI Tools

Popular Generative AI Tools by Type (Most of the below are FREE, but must upgrade for more features)

Chatbots - Users "chat" back and forth with a Large Language Model (LLM), which is trained on huge amounts of data scraped from the Internet. See more definitions in box above.

Visual Tools - Users describe or upload photos to generate new items.


What is generative AI? 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 research.ibm.com/blog/what-is-generative-AI
 

Examples - People are using Gen AI tools for personal and professional tasks:

  • conversing with LLMs regarding personal or professional issues
  • writing office emails
  • creating advertising on social media
  • creating art for digital art competitions

Summary -

  • Want to have a conversation about a topic? Explore a Chatbot to brainstorm back and forth.
  • Want to quickly look something up? Utilize Google for a known topic or recent information.
  • Want scholarly and credible information? Search library databases from the BCC Library or New York Public Library.

Always ask yourself whether using AI is truly necessary, reliable, efficient, and ethically responsible.

Search Tool Comparison Chart

Search Tool

Gen AI (Chatbots)

Google

OneSearch (Library Databases)
How It Works
 LLMs, similar to a sophisticated auto-complete, create unique  responses based on user prompts. Search algorithms produce a list of websites sorted by sponsored content then by relevance to user keywords and phrases.

Search algorithms find published content based on user keywords, relevance, and optional user filters. Users must have a library card.
Sources
 Newly created content, typically a mash-up of Internet sources. Content from websites, whether created by a person, organization, government, corporation, etc. Scholarly journals, magazines, newspapers, and other copyrighted or purchased sources.
Concerns
 Hallucinations, copyright infringement, hidden cost of high energy/water consumption, human rights issues, algorithm bias due to human inputs, etc. Algorithm bias due to human inputs, and a "dark web" that allows criminals/deviants to exchange illegal and harmful content. Cost of databases, especially some science publications, and possible bias against minority voices or opinions.
Best Uses
 Brainstorming ideas, translating text to a particular language or audience, and finding a quick answer when accuracy is not as important. Locating latest news, researching a variety of topics from various points of view, and finding a specific source. Researching complex topics which require accurate and scholarly materials. Accessing costly sources with your login.
Gen AI Tools/Chatbots

How It Works
  • Prompts entered trigger responses from a Large Language Model (using machine learning and neural networks) that is trained to complete natural language inquiries, i.e. a similar but more complex version of auto-complete.
Sources Retrieved
  • New content is created that is essentially a mash-up of sources that the Gen AI Tool has used in its training, i.e. Internet websites, Google scholar papers, and even copyrighted news sources, etc. Each AI tool has its own training materials, though there is some overlap.
Concerns about this Tool
  • Inaccuracies in sources or hallucinations. For example, when Gen AI struggles to find a answer to a prompt, it sometimes hallucinates or makes up a false statement or fake citation or statement.
  • Delay of information received as the training data is not up-to-date like what is possible on the Internet.
  • Questionable uses of training materials. For example, items not in the public domain, which has led to lawsuits over copyright infringement and intellectual property ownership.
  • Environmental concerns, like energy consumption, as well as labor issues around Big Tech's hiring practices, etc.
Best Uses of this Tool
  • Brainstorming ideas when the consequences for using false information aren't as detrimental. Example prompt: "I'm throwing a birthday party for a ten year old who is into math, science, and biking, what are some ideas for activities, games, food, and party decorations."
  • Brainstorming topic ideas for a research paper. Example prompt: I am a community college music student needing to find an argumentative speech topic for my class and want to find an interesting topic from the last 2 years.
  • Rewriting emails/letters when your boss has approved Gen AI usage. Example prompt: Could you please rewrite the letter below so that it sounds more formal and appropriate for an accounting office.

 

Google or other Internet Search Engines
 
How It Works
  • Searches retrieve already created content based on keywords and phrases. More popular or relevant sources will sort to the top and people seek to optimize their websites or pay money to be placed higher up in the search results.
Sources Retrieved
  • Available types of sources are vast, as anyone with access to a computer can create a website and post a blog or news story. Sources range from content produced by companies to sell you something to informational content from not-for-profits or even educational content from professors at the Bronx Community College
Concerns about this Tool
  • Materials may be biased or inaccurate as it is open to anyone of any age and connects the whole world of information in one place, thus called the "World Wide Web."
  • FYI: Though not available via Google or typical search engines, there is a whole underground online network of illegal activity (child pornography, radical groups, drug smugglers) called the "dark web" which requires different search tools.
Best Uses of this Tool
  • Locating latest news, restaurant information, concert performances, sports, weather, maps, etc.
  • Locating specific known items like musicians, a museum, a news or government website, etc.
  • Researching a variety of topics and then determining best sources by evaluating author, date, source, etc.
OneSearch (Library's Search Engine)

How It Works
  • Search with one or more relevant keywords and OneSearch retrieves items based on relevance and based on filters you may choose on the left side of the screen.
Sources Retrieved
  • Scholarly journals, magazines, newspapers articles, and other unique digital content available freely through your BCC library's subscriptions. Most sources edited and fact-checked by companies and news agencies, though there may be some open-access materials included, that are accessible through Google on the "Open Web" as well.
Concern about this Tool
  • Cost of databases can be expensive and are in part paid for by campuses, including student tuition.
  • Some academics argue that academic journals may exclude minority voices, opinions, and scholarship, depending upon a specific journal's editorial board and process for including publications.
Best Uses of this Tool
  • Academic research and college assignments that require credible, academic or peer-reviewed sources.
  • Data sources, business & marketing content, legal information, and more that is oftentimes behind a "pay-wall" and expensive for individuals to access apart from these databases. 

Did You Know?

Review: What Did You Learn?

Review Questions

1)  How would you explain Gen AI to a friend or family member?

2)  Read about the differences in Gen AI, Google, and Library Databases. Is Gen AI best? What are the differences in the sources you retrieve with each tool?

3)  What sources are used to train a Large Language Model (LLM)?