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Speech - COMM101

What is generative AI?

Generative AI chatbots, like ChatGPT or Microsoft Copilot, are tools that allow you to engage with text, images, and other media in a new way.

  • These tools are trained on large sets of data - text, images, videos, etc. - to "learn" patterns and probabilities in human-created content, so they can generate new content.
  • These tools use the patterns they have "learned" to produce new content or data based on your input, which is normally a natural language prompt. They essentially try to determine which word is most likely to come next in content about your question/topic.

 

What is a Large Language Model, or LLM?

LLMs are the algorithmic models behind chatbots that are fed text data to "learn" how human language is put together. Sometimes tools like ChatGPT or Microsoft Copilot are referred to as LLM chatbots.

 

Using generative AI as a research tool

  • Every professor will have different regulations and expectations about using AI for classwork. Please check in each of your classes so you know what expectations are.
  • In Professor Kinebew-Bosa's Speech class, students can use generative AI to help them brainstorm topics for their Informative Speech.
    • Be specific about your needs!
      • The speech is informative, not persuasive, should be 4-5 minutes, and requires you to use at least 3 outside sources.
    • Share some of your interests. This helps to narrow your options and will make the research more interesting for you!
    • Evaluate the responses!
      • They might be too opinionated or too broad.​
      • Ask follow-up questions to focus or refine.
    • Evaluate the sources!​
      • Compare the sources. Which are from a credible organization? Which are made up?​ Use lateral reading if you are unsure.
      • Don't feel like you have to use them.
      • Search for other credible sources on your topic.

 

The chatbot used in the library session is Microsoft Copilot

 

How Generative AI chatbots work

The video below, while a little old, still contains a good explanation of the basics behind AI chatbots like ChatGPT or Microsoft Copilot. It was created by librarians in Massachusetts, and makes a brief reference at the beginning to some of their other library resources.