Whether it's powering your phones autocorrect or helping someone create a new recipe with a few words, artificial intelligence (AI) is everywhere right now. But if you're still nodding along when someone mentions "neural networks" or "generative AI," you're not alone.Today I am breaking down five buzzy AI terms that you've probably seen in headlines, group chats or app updates, minus the tech talk. Understanding these basics will help you talk AI with confidence, even if youre not a programmer.Stay tuned for morein this series as we dive deeper into privacy-related tech terms and other essential concepts, answering the top questions we get from readers like you.JOIN THE FREE CYBERGUY REPORT: GET MY EXPERT TECH TIPS, CRITICAL SECURITY ALERTS AND EXCLUSIVE DEALS, PLUS INSTANT ACCESS TO MYFREE ULTIMATE SCAM SURVIVAL GUIDE WHEN YOU SIGN UP!The big umbrella termArtificial Intelligence is a broad term for computer systems that can do tasks normally requiring human intelligence. That includes understanding language, recognizing images, making decisions and even learning from experience.Youre using AI when:Think of AI as the category; everything else on this list is a branch of it. Its the foundation for all the smart tools we use today, from voice assistants to facial recognition. As AI continues to evolve, it has the power to make everyday tasks easier, faster and more personalized. But as it becomes more embedded in our lives, understanding the basics is key to using it wisely and protecting your digital autonomy.AI TECHNOLOGY HELPS REUNITE LOST DOGS WITH THEIR OWNERSHow AI learns patternsMachine Learning is a type of AI that learns from data instead of being explicitly programmed. It improves over time by finding patterns and making predictions.For example:You like action movies. You watch a few. Over time, the algorithm learns your preferences and recommends similar titles, even if you didnt say anything directly.Common uses of ML:ML is how AI "gets smarter" by itself, and it's a big part of how tech becomes more helpful and intuitive. From catching suspicious charges on your credit card to curating your favorite music, machine learning can make life more seamless and even safer. But as with any technology, its important to stay aware of how your data is being used and whos doing the learning. The more we understand how it works, the better we can decide how and when to trust it.5 MOBILE PRIVACY TERMS YOU NEED TO KNOW TO PROTECT YOURSELFThe tech that mimics your brainNeural Networks are a special kind of machine learning designed to mimic how the human brain works, at least loosely. They're made up of layers of "neurons" that process data and make decisions.Theyre particularly good at recognizing complex patterns, like identifying faces in photos or translating languages.Use cases include:If AI is the brain, neural networks are the brain cells doing the work. Neural networks are the part of AI that actually processes information. Theyre designed to mimic how human brains work, taking in data, learning patterns and making decisions. So, when AI recognizes a face, writes a sentence or makes a suggestion, its neural networks making that happen behind the scenes.AI SYSTEM RESTORES SPEECH FOR PARALYZED PATIENTS USING OWN VOICEJoin the FREE "CyberGuy Report" for more tips like this.FOX NEWS AI NEWSLETTER: THE SCHOOL WHERE AI RUNS THE CLASSROOMAI that creates, not just predictsGenerative AI doesnt just analyze data, it creates new stuff: text, images, videos, code, music, even voices. Its trained on huge amounts of content and learns how to generate something new that mimics the original.Youve seen it in action if youve used:Its like giving a machine a vibe and watching it invent something that fits. Generative AI is creative, fast and sometimes uncannily realistic, which is what makes it both exciting and a little unsettling.Think you can tell the difference?Be sure toplay my game to guess which photo is AI and which one is real. Its harder than you think and a good reminder that as these tools get more advanced, staying alert and informed is more important than ever.WHAT IS ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI)?FIND THE FAKE: KITTENSThe magic words that make AI workAprompt is the input you give to an AI system, usually a question, command or description. Its how you talk to tools like ChatGPT or image generators.The better your prompt, the better the result.Examples:Prompts are to AI what questions are to Google, but with more creativity and conversation. Unlike a search engine that simply points you to existing content, AI can generate entirely new ideas, images and text based on what you ask. Its more than a search box; its a creative tool. Whether youre drafting a story, designing a logo or planning a vacation, learning how to prompt effectively lets you tap into AIs full potential as a collaborator, not just an information source.DON'T MISS OUT ON THESE MEMORIAL DAY BEST DEALS & DISCOUNTSYou dont need a computer science degree to understand AI, just a few solid definitions. Frommachine learning andneural networks togenerative AI andprompts, these tools are no longer reserved for tech labs; they're becoming part of your everyday life. Whether its helping you write an email, organize your photos or get dinner ideas based on whats in your fridge, AI is already working behind the scenes to make life a little easier (and sometimes a lot more interesting).Now that youve got the lingo down, youll be better equipped to navigate the AI-powered world with confidence and curiosity.Want to go deeper? Interested in how AI can improve your daily routine or looking for creative prompt ideas to get the most out of tools like ChatGPT? Let us know by writing us atCyberguy.com/Contact.For more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading toCyberguy.com/Newsletter.Ask Kurt a question or let us know what stories you'd like us to cover.Follow Kurt on his social channels:Answers to the most-asked CyberGuy questions:New from Kurt:Copyright 2025 CyberGuy.com.All rights reserved.

Journalist and author Batya Ungar-Sargon said that the murder suspect who gunned down two Israeli Embassy staffers in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday followed similar rhetoric as anti-Israel protesters on college campuses."He is an outgrowth of the antisemitism on college campuses," Ungar-Sargon said Thursday of the alleged shooter while appearing on CNN. "And how are we not talking about that? That is the story. There is a culture of dehumanizing Jews that is rampant on the left. Nobody wants to talk about it. Theyre not going to listen to us. We need people on the left to say this is unacceptable."The Embassy of Israel to the U.S. identified the victims shot in DC as Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim, who were set to be engaged. A 31-year-old man identified as Elias Rodriguez, of Chicago, has been arrested and charged with the murders. Metropolitan Police Department Chief Pamela Smith said that the gun used by him was recovered.TWO ISRAELI DIPLOMATS SHOT, KILLED DURING EVENT AT CAPITAL JEWISH MUSEUM IN WASHINGTON, DC"I think probably a lot of Jews watching this are feeling the way Im feeling, which is that I cant believe were talking about this," Ungar-Sargon continued, "rather than the fact that two people were murdered because the terrorist who killed them believed that they were Jews and was chanting the exact same thing that Jewish students have had to hear chanted at them for two years while he did that."The suspected killer chanted, "Free, free Palestine" as he was apprehended, a common refrain of anti-Israel protesters.She described the alleged killer as someone "who wrote a manifesto that reads exactly like the kinds of op-eds that are written routinely on these college campuses, that the comments on that manifesto are all completely in support of him."WITNESS RECOUNTS CHILLING MOMENT DC JEWISH MUSEUM SHOOTER CONFESSED I DID THIS FOR GAZARodriguez, 31, has been charged with the murder of foreign officials, a federal capital offense, along with multiple firearm-related counts and two counts of first-degree murder.If convicted of either of the first two counts, he could face the death penalty. Under D.C. law, a conviction for first-degree murder carries a minimum sentence of 30 years in prison and a maximum sentence of life behind bars.Fox News' Elizabeth Pritchett contributed to this report.

Republican Attorneys General Kris Kobach, of Kansas, Alan Wilson, of South Carolina, and Drew Wrigley, of North Dakota, spoke with Fox News Digital at the U.S.-Mexico border in Yuma, Arizona.

Bank of America and other big institutions are seeing major customer engagement with their AI-powered chatbots.

A vessel from the American Revolution that was unearthed at the site of the World Trade Center is being put on display at a museum. (Credit: New York State Museum)

Newly released video footage appears to show Milwaukee Judge Hannah Dugan speaking with ICE agents in the Milwaukee County Courthouse before she allegedly directed an illegal immigrant defendant to leave through a private exit. (Milwaukee County)

Fox News' Mike Emanuel reports the latest on Republicans' effort to shed light on the alleged Biden cover-up. 'Fox News Sunday' anchor Shannon Bream also weighs in and what she considers a 'big' win for the Trump White House.

Republican Attorneys General Kris Kobach, of Kansas, Alan Wilson, of South Carolina, and Drew Wrigley, of North Dakota, spoke with Fox News Digital at the U.S.-Mexico border in Yuma, Arizona.

Bank of America and other big institutions are seeing major customer engagement with their AI-powered chatbots.

A vessel from the American Revolution that was unearthed at the site of the World Trade Center is being put on display at a museum. (Credit: New York State Museum)