Lesson 2 — Core Types of AI
AI is not a single entity but a collection of different types, each designed for a specific purpose. Understanding these distinctions is key to selecting the right tool for the job.
| AI Type | Primary Function |
| Generative AI | Creates new content based on input prompts. |
| Predictive AI | Takes current and historical data to return a future value. |
| Discriminative AI | Sorts data into a hierarchy or category. |
| Analytical AI | Gains insights from existing data. |
| Statistical AI | Gains insights from existing data from a purely statistical standpoint. |
A common point of confusion is the difference between Generative AI and a traditional search engine. The biggest difference is that Generative AI creates new, original content, while a search engine primarily retrieves existing information from the internet.
