AI is full of confusing jargon, but understanding a few key terms can make everything feel much clearer.
You don’t need to be an IT genius—just knowing the basics will help you see how AI can work for your business and make conversations with your tech team much easier.
Here’s your super-simple guide to the top 10 geeky AI terms you need to know.
Let’s Set the Scene…
Imagine you’re in a meeting about an exciting new AI project.
Your team is buzzing about “machine learning,” “neural networks,” and “training data,” but it feels like they’re speaking another language.
Understanding these terms will help you see the potential, ask the right questions, and be part of the conversation.
Let’s make AI simple.
The Possible Impact:
If you don’t understand the basics:
- You might miss opportunities to use AI to its full potential.
- Conversations with your tech team could leave you feeling lost or out of the loop.
- You risk falling behind competitors who are already harnessing AI’s power.
Let’s Make This Super Simple:
Here are the top 10 AI terms made simple:
- Artificial Intelligence (AI)
AI means creating machines or software that can act like humans, such as making decisions or recognising patterns.
- Machine Learning (ML)
ML is how AI learns. Instead of being programmed with rules, it improves by studying data and figuring out patterns for itself.
- Neural Networks
Think of a neural network as a giant web of connections—like a simplified version of the brain. It helps AI make sense of information by sorting it layer by layer, like organising messy papers into neat piles.
- Natural Language Processing (NLP)
NLP allows machines to understand and respond to human language, like when you ask a virtual assistant a question and it answers.
- Training Data
Training data is the information you give an AI to help it learn—like teaching a child with examples until they understand.
- Algorithms
Algorithms are step-by-step instructions that tell AI how to process information and make decisions. It’s like following a recipe to bake a cake.
- Deep Learning
Deep learning is an advanced type of machine learning that works with very complex neural networks. It’s what allows AI to do things like recognise faces in photos or drive cars.
- Bias
Bias happens when AI unintentionally learns unfair patterns from the data it’s trained on, leading to unfair results.
- Explainability
Explainability means AI can show you how it made a decision, so you can trust it’s working correctly.
- Reinforcement Learning
This is when AI learns by trial and error. It tries something, gets feedback (like a reward or penalty), and improves its behaviour over time.
Why This Will Benefit You and Your Business:
Knowing these terms helps you:
- Feel confident talking about AI in meetings or with your tech team.
- Make smarter decisions when choosing or approving AI projects.
- Spot opportunities to use AI in your business to save time, money, or resources.
It’s not about becoming an expert—it’s about understanding enough to unlock AI’s potential.
Want to learn more?
At Toro Digital, we’re all about giving you tips to keep AI simple, accessible, and impactful for your business.
Subscribe to our newsletter for more insights on making AI work for you.