generative AI

noun

variants or less commonly gen AI or generative artificial intelligence

: artificial intelligence 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

called also GAI

Examples of generative AI in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The report, from the Center for Digital Thriving, a research and innovation center at Project Zero at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, examines the challenges surrounding generative AI use in schools. — ABC News, 30 Sep. 2026

On the latest episode of Billboard On the Record, Questlove joins the video podcast to dive into the history of sampling and how new trends — like microchopping, catalog sales and generative AI — may pose new opportunities or risks to the art form. — Kristin Robinson, Billboard, 30 Sep. 2026

New York City, the nation’s largest school system, instituted a one-year moratorium on student-facing generative AI through eighth grade, while allowing limited, supervised use in high school. — Susan Gouijnstook, Fortune, 30 Sep. 2026

These reactions reflected broader concerns that generative AI might interfere with the artistic intent of developers. — Aman Kumar, Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1993, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for generative AI

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