Generative AI: Understanding GenAI

Generative AI (GenAI) is a type of artificial intelligence that can generate new content, such as images, text, video, code, or music in response to prompts. Unlike traditional AI tools (such as internet search engines, Netflix recommendations, or Google Maps) that are designed to complete specific tasks,GenAI learns from lots of data and then uses that knowledge to make something new.

Some GenAI tools focus on creating text. These tools are trained by processing huge amounts of text from websites, books, and other sources. They learn how people use language by finding patterns in the text. Because they’re trained on so much language, they’re called Large Language Models (LLMs). Examples of GenAI that can create text content include: ChatGPT, Google Gemini, Perplexity AI, and Microsoft Copilot.

Yes, VCC students may choose to use generative AI in academic course work within the rules set in their programs or courses. They may choose to use GenAI to support their learning in other ways, within the bounds of legal and College policies and requirements and guidelines.

If an instructor specifies that no outside assistance is permitted on a graded assignment, the College will consider a student’s use of generative AI as a form of academic misconduct under the VCC Academic Integrity policy.

Because VCC has not yet completed or approved a Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA) for any GenAI tools, VCC instructors cannot require students to create accounts with GenAI tools or use GenAI tools that may collect their personal information.

See VCC Guidelines for Generative AI in Teaching and Learning.

This animated video describes how artificial intelligence works, where it can be found, and how it influences our lives. Created by the Museum of Science in Boston, USA (March 2022).