This primer addresses the common questions that many journalists have about artificial intelligence (AI) systems. It contains nontechnical explanations of common terms and concepts associated with AI and gives examples of how to write about AI systems without misleading people about their capabilities. Although this primer is designed primarily for journalists, we hope it will be useful for a wide range of audiences who want to learn more about AI.
For a list of resources for where to find technical experts for stories, please see Finding Experts in AI. For information specifically on generative AI, please see our accompanying Intro to Generative AI.