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

While the basic blocks of generative AI are present, the promises of deep integration, personalized services, and an AI that just works, which were made at WWDC in 2024, have not been delivered. —Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025

For this story, Fortune used generative AI to help with an initial draft. —Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 5 Sep. 2025

His decision was the first major decision that weighed the fair use question in generative AI systems. —Ted Johnson, Deadline, 5 Sep. 2025

More accessible LightCast’s report identified over 300 AI skills ranging from AI ethics and generative AI to machine learning. —Dylan Butts shreya Ghosal, CNBC, 4 Sep. 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