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

Now, an increasing body of casework pointing to using generative AI in crimes is emerging. —Jane Lytvynenko, NBC news, 12 May 2026

Microsoft has also worked to scale back the Copilot branding inside of core apps like Notepad and Paint (even if the generative AI features are still there), and to give users more control over when their PCs install updates. —Andrew Cunningham, ArsTechnica, 12 May 2026

Since generative AI became widely available, in fall 2022, Princeton has seen rising academic dishonesty. —Rose Horowitch, The Atlantic, 12 May 2026

Last year Amazon and Netflix unveiled ad formats that use generative AI to develop custom creative. —Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 11 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

2012, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for generative AI

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