AI at NETC: Home

WHAT IS AI?

AI is the theory and methods to build machines that think and act like humans, and is supported by Expert System AI, in which programmers teach AI exactly how to solve specific problems by providing precise instructions and steps.

Underneath this are several ideas that further build upon each other, such as Machine Learning (The ability for computers to learn from experience or data without human programming), which builds into Deep Learning (Mimics the human brain using artificial neural networks such as transformers to allow computers to perform complex tasks.), which builds into Generative AI (Generates new text, audio, images, video or code based on content it has been pre-trained on.).

One of the most common forms of AI is a Chatbot, an AI that uses natural language processing techniques to respond to user generated prompts. Multiple Chatbots exist, such as the well-known ChatGPT.

AI & Ethics

AI, especially Generative AI, has raised a number of ethical concerns because it is "trained" on existing creative material (images, text, video, etc.). This sometimes includes copyrighted works. Criticism has come from artists, writers, and others because of this, with accusations that Generative AI use is essentially a form of plagiarism. In March of 2025, it was determined that AI generated art cannot be awarded a copyright, as it lacks human authorship. Other concerns include:

• Bias
• Energy Consumption/Environmental Impact
• Equity
• Privacy Issues
• Reproducibility

If you plan to use AI in any submitted work, please discuss it with your instructor, and consider these following ways to make use of AI in your academic work:

• To get a quick overview on a topic (when using Large Language Model (LLM chatbots, such as ChatGPT).
  • As with Wikipedia: follow references and check the source. LLMs can produce credible sounding yet incorrect content, or create references to sources that don't exist. 
• Use an LLM to refine the style or composition of (non-assessed) writing. This can be helpful for work or professional contexts such as social media posts or sending emails.
• To summarize a longer document.
• To brainstorm ideas.
• To generate keywords and searches.