You’re proofreading and see this copy: "We're building an AI that will transform our business."
Problem! Using ‘an AI’ or ‘AIs’ risks making you and your business sound like you don’t know your stuff. Here's why.
AI is a big topic - think biology or mathematics big. And like them, it’s an umbrella term that includes different things. What do you actually mean?
Show you understand AI by being specific enough:
AI - the field of making technology perform tasks that typically require human intelligence
AI technology - the core methods and approaches, like machine learning or neural networks
an AI model - mathematical representations trained on data to perform tasks, like recognizing text
AI capabilities - specific things AI can do (within defined parameters) like translating languages or analyzing images
an AI solution - a product that incorporates AI to meet a need - like an email sorting tool (solution, product, tool or other similar words are largely interchangeable here)
an AI system - a complete setup of multiple components, AI and otherwise, that work together
The difference matters.
But, plot twist - there’s going to be people who disagree with this. There are already some technologists who use ‘an AI’ or ‘AIs’.
As marcom professionals, we have a decision to make. What’s the best way to help our audiences understand something in order to have our desired impact?
By being clear enough.
That’s an approach that will help:
Build credibility
Show you understand the technology
Set clear and correct expectations
Facilitate your desired outcomes