How to use AI as a beginner

For beginners, AI can seem unclear and hard to grasp at first. With our practical guide, you’ll quickly understand the purpose of each concept and how it works.

Why is AI worthwhile even for beginners?

The vast field of AI is well worth exploring, even for beginners. While the topic might seem complex and multifaceted at first, it holds immense potential to accelerate, automate, and ultimately optimise processes in the (near) future. Using AI in businesses can make many tasks more efficient and often enables many processes to operate unnoticed in the background. The benefits AI brings are sure to be of interest to you as well.

With the right tools, many tasks can be completed more efficiently and securely. AI is designed to assist by taking over time-consuming steps, working not only much faster but also with fewer errors. This allows you to focus on the important aspects and work more effectively. AI is already being used in many areas of life today.

In this article, we’ll give you a brief overview and explain the key terms, methods, and tools. For more detailed information on each topic, check out our Digital Guide.

AI beginners guide

The field of artificial intelligence is packed with countless terms and topics. However, for AI beginners, the following concepts are more than enough to get started.

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence or AI is a branch of computer science aimed at training machines to best mimic human intelligence. While it may never be fully possible due to the complexity of human intelligence, AI can already achieve impressive results, especially for highly specialised tasks. The foundation of any AI is extensive training.

Machine Learning

The most important aspect of AI training is machine learning. For this, systems are ‘fed’ with large and diverse datasets. Using various algorithms, AI detects patterns within this data and learns to make predictions and decisions based on them. The larger the dataset and the better the algorithms, the more accurate the results will be. This area of AI is therefore of utmost importance for beginners and professionals alike.

Deep Learning

Deep learning is a subset of machine learning. It involves equipping machines with an artificial neural network which is largely modelled after the human brain. This enables the machine to identify complex patterns within large datasets with high accuracy. These networks consist of multiple layers and are used, for example, in image recognition and speech recognition.

Embodied AI

AI is also used in physical systems. This form of AI is called embodied AI. Through sensors, machine learning, coordinated motor skills, and feedback loops, drones or robots, for example, can interact with their environment and automatically initiate and carry out necessary tasks.

Image recognition

AI image recognition is used to detect, analyse, and categorise objects, specific people, or activities within a single image or across multiple images. With the right training, text can also be recognised and processed further. Image recognition is used across various industries and, due to its high accuracy, can significantly improve efficiency in workflows.

Natural Language Processing (NLP)

Impressive results are also being achieved in the field of natural language processing (NLP). This aspect of artificial intelligence focuses on human-machine interaction. Through extensive training processes, the machine learns to understand, interpret, and even generate human or natural language. Even for beginners, this AI technology is often part of everyday life. It’s used in voice assistants, AI chatbots and chat analysis.

Large Language Models (LLM)

Large language models (LLMs) are also based on machine learning. These models process large amounts of data, recognise patterns within the collection, and then learn to understand and summarise text. Thanks to deep learning, these models train themselves and can subsequently create their own text, generate code, or optimise existing sentences. Large language models are part of the Foundation Models (FM).

Foundation Models (FM)

Foundation models (FM) not only understand text, analyse details, and process inputs, but their scope extends beyond working with text alone to include other data types, such as images and videos. These models are primarily used in product development, customer service, and research.

Artificial intelligence for IT operations (AIOps)

Thanks to advancements in machine learning and natural language processing, AI can now take on valuable IT tasks even for beginners. Tasks like analysis, diagnostics, system monitoring, data backup, and reporting are automated through AI for IT operations (AIOps).

Vector databases

Vector databases store multidimensional data in the form of numerical vectors, essentially coordinate points in a multi-dimensional space. This makes them particularly useful for AI tools, as they simplify the search for similarities and patterns.

Generative AI

Generative AI refers to AI solutions capable of generating new content based on a specific training dataset. The relevant tools analyse vast amounts of data and then create new data that resembles the known content. These can include a wide variety of content types. Well-known examples of generative AI are the text generator ChatGPT and the image creation software DALL-E.

AI video generators

Videos can already be created from scratch using artificial intelligence. Even for beginners AI video generators are easy to understand and deliver impressive results. The quality of the finished clip primarily depends on the accuracy of the provided prompts.

AI websites

There are plenty of AI websites. These platforms offer various tools and resources to explore and apply the possibilities of artificial intelligence. From text generators that help quickly create content to image generators that develop creative designs from simple inputs – AI websites open new avenues for efficiency and creativity. A list of the best AI options for beginners and advanced users can be found in our Digital Guide.

Programming with AI

Programming with AI offers exciting opportunities for both beginners and advanced users. With the help of AI code generators you can analyse, optimise, and even automatically generate code. These applications use machine learning and large language models to detect errors, suggest improvements, or take over entire programming tasks. Especially in the development of websites, apps, or automation processes, AI tools save time and enhance efficiency.