Plain-English definitions written by our team, last checked Oct 15, 2026. Jump to: Agentic AI · AI agent · AI assistant · AI avatar · AI model · AI search visibility (GEO) · API · Apple Intelligence · Automation / workflow · Chatbot · Computer use · Context window · Fine-tuning · Free plan vs free trial · Generative AI · Hallucination · Human in the loop · Large language model (LLM) · Local AI · Microsoft Copilot · Multimodal · NPU / Copilot+ PC · Ollama / LM Studio · Open-weight model · Parameters (e.g. 4B, 8B) · Prompt · Prompt engineering · Prompt injection · Quantization · RAM / VRAM · Text-to-speech (TTS) · Token · Training data · Unified memory · Voice cloning
- Agentic AI
The general idea of AI that plans and carries out multi-step tasks. Agentic AI explained →
- AI agent
AI that can take actions for you (browse, click, send) instead of only chatting. Agentic AI explained →
- AI assistant
A chatbot that helps with everyday tasks: writing, explaining, planning. Which AI assistant fits you? →
- AI avatar
A digital presenter that speaks your script on video. Synthesia vs HeyGen →
- AI model
The "brain" that generates answers, like GPT, Claude or Gemini. Apps such as ChatGPT are built on top of a model. AI models explained →
- AI search visibility (GEO)
How often AI assistants mention or cite your brand in their answers. Writesonic review →
- API
A way for programs to talk to an AI model directly, usually billed per use.
- Apple Intelligence
Apple's built-in AI on M1+ Macs and recent iPhones: Writing Tools, Siri, optional ChatGPT. AI on Macs →
- Automation / workflow
A set of steps that runs by itself, e.g. with Zapier or n8n. Best AI agent tools →
- Chatbot
An app you talk to by typing (or speaking), like ChatGPT, Claude or Gemini. ChatGPT vs Claude vs Gemini →
- Computer use
An agent controlling a computer or browser like a person would. AI agent use cases →
- Context window
How much text the AI can "keep in mind" at once, including your chat so far. AI models explained →
- Fine-tuning
Extra training that makes a model better at one style or job.
- Free plan vs free trial
A free plan lasts; a free trial ends (often asking for a card). We always say which. How we test →
- Generative AI
AI that creates new content: text, images, voices or video. Tool reviews →
- Hallucination
When AI states something false with confidence. Always check facts that matter. AI tools starter guide →
- Human in the loop
You approve important steps before an agent acts. A key safety habit. Is it safe to let an AI agent use my email? →
- Large language model (LLM)
An AI model trained on huge amounts of text so it can read and write language. AI models explained →
- Local AI
Running a model on your own computer, so your data stays at home. Local AI guide →
- Microsoft Copilot
Microsoft's AI assistant, free to chat, built into Windows and Microsoft 365. Microsoft Copilot explained →
- Multimodal
A model that handles more than text: images, audio or video too. AI models explained →
- NPU / Copilot+ PC
An NPU is a chip for AI tasks. Copilot+ PCs are Windows laptops with a fast NPU (40+ TOPS) and 16 GB+ RAM. AI on Windows PCs →
- Ollama / LM Studio
Free apps for running AI models on your own computer. Ollama vs LM Studio →
- Open-weight model
A model whose files you can download and run yourself, like Llama or Qwen. Local AI guide →
- Parameters (e.g. 4B, 8B)
Roughly the size of a model. Bigger usually means smarter but needs more memory. What can my computer run? →
- Prompt
What you type to tell the AI what you want. Clear prompts get better answers. Prompt library →
- Prompt engineering
Writing prompts carefully (role, context, format) to get more useful results. Prompt library →
- Prompt injection
Hidden instructions in a web page or email that try to trick an AI agent. AI agent email safety →
- Quantization
Shrinking a model so it fits in less memory, with a small quality cost. Can I run AI on 8GB RAM? →
- RAM / VRAM
Your computer's memory (and graphics card memory). It decides which local models fit. What can my computer run? →
- Text-to-speech (TTS)
Turning typed text into spoken audio. ElevenLabs review →
- Token
A small chunk of text (about ¾ of a word) that models read and are billed by.
- Training data
The text, images and other material a model learned from.
- Unified memory
On Apple Silicon Macs, one shared pool of memory for processor and graphics, which helps local AI. AI on Macs →
- Voice cloning
Making an AI voice that sounds like a specific person. Only clone with consent. ElevenLabs vs Murf →
Want to put these to work? Try our copy-paste prompt library.