What is Generative AI?
AI systems that generate new content — text, images, code, audio — rather than only classifying or analyzing input.
Definition
Generative AI refers to machine learning models that can create new content rather than just analyzing or classifying existing content. This includes large language models that generate text, image generation models like DALL-E and Midjourney, code generation models like Codex, and audio generation models. Generative AI is the broad category; LLMs and AI agents are specific types within it.
Example
ChatGPT writing a blog post, DALL-E creating an image from a description, GitHub Copilot completing a function — all are examples of generative AI. It generates new content; it doesn't just retrieve or classify existing content.
Generative AI vs ai-agent: What's the difference?
AI systems that generate new content — text, images, code, audio — rather than only classifying or analyzing input.
Generative AI creates content. AI agents use generative AI as their reasoning core but also plan, use tools, and take actions — they're not just content generators.