generative AI

noun

variants or less commonly generative artificial intelligence

: artificial intelligence (see artificial intelligence sense 2) that is capable of generating new content (such as images or text) in response to a submitted prompt (such as a query) by learning from a large reference database of examples

Generative AI is a computer tool that can create text that sounds like it was written by a human, based on a given starting point.

—Stephanie Sylvestre

In a departure from previous efforts, Therabot is powered by generative artificial intelligence, meaning it can use existing data and documentation to develop original actions and responses. Another example of generative AI is DALL-E 2, the popular program that can create images from user prompts.

—Sarah Sloat

Publishers hire armies of journalists to produce content. … These publishers will soon leverage generative AI to instantly create thousands of SEO-optimized articles …

—Lloyd Danzig

Examples of generative AI in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

To date, generative AI has been driven largely by prompts or inputs from human users. —Don Murray, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025

Teenagers are already using generative AI for homework help and web searches—and for entertainment. —Lila Shroff, The Atlantic, 14 July 2025

The mental health impact of generative AI is difficult to quantify in part because it is used so privately, but anecdotal evidence is growing to suggest a broader cost that deserves more attention from both lawmakers and tech companies who design the underlying models. —Parmy Olson, Mercury News, 12 July 2025

The Pixel 9 Pro XL produces great photos that capture outstanding, clear details, and the generative AI app, Pixel Studio, is a fun and useful creative tool. —Jade Chung-Lee, PC Magazine, 12 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

2012, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for generative AI

• abscissae
• alibi
• alkali
• alumni
• amoebae
• amplify
• annuli
• beautify
• brachii
• butterfly
• calculi
• certify