Glossary - Plain English Meanings
Every confusing word on this site, explained simply. Nothing here is technical.
AI Basics
Artificial Intelligence (AI)Computer software that has learned patterns from huge amounts of information, and uses them to answer questions or make things.
ChatbotA program you talk to by typing. You write a message, it writes back.
PromptThe message you type to an AI. Just ordinary words, no special language needed.
Generative AIAI that makes something new (writing, a picture, or a voice) rather than just finding something that already exists.
ModelThe brain behind an AI. When people say a new model, they mean an updated version.
TrainingThe process of teaching AI by showing it enormous amounts of text and pictures.
HallucinationWhen AI confidently states something untrue. It is not lying; it simply does not know it is wrong.
AlgorithmA set of steps a computer follows, like a recipe.
Machine learningSoftware that improves by finding patterns in examples, rather than being given fixed rules.
AssistantAnother word for an AI helper, such as Siri or Alexa.
Tools and Apps
AppA program on your phone, tablet or computer.
BrowserThe program you use to visit websites: Chrome, Safari, Edge or Firefox.
AccountA username and password that lets a website remember you.
Sign up / RegisterCreating an account for the first time.
Log in / Sign inEntering your details to get back into an account you already have.
Free tierThe part of a service you can use without paying.
SubscriptionPaying a regular amount, usually monthly, for extra features.
DownloadCopying something from the internet onto your device.
InstallSetting up a program so you can use it.
UpdateA newer version that fixes problems or adds features.
How AI Works
DataInformation (words, numbers, pictures) that computers store and use.
InputWhat you give the AI, such as your typed question.
OutputWhat the AI gives back: its answer.
ContextWhat the AI remembers within your current conversation.
TokenA small piece of a word. AI reads and writes in these pieces.
BiasUnfairness the AI picked up from the material it learned from.
AccuracyHow often the AI is correct. It is never perfect.
Safety and Privacy
ScamA dishonest trick designed to take your money or details.
PhishingA fake message pretending to be your bank or the government, to steal your details.
DeepfakeA fake video or photo made by AI that shows a real person doing or saying something they never did.
Voice cloningCopying a person voice with AI from a short recording.
PrivacyYour right to control who knows things about you.
Personal informationAnything that identifies you: name, address, date of birth, Medicare number.
Sensitive informationEspecially private details, such as health records. Never put these into an AI.
PasswordThe secret word or phrase that protects an account.
Two-factor authenticationA second check, usually a code sent to your phone. It makes accounts much safer.
EncryptionScrambling information so only the right person can read it.
CookieA small file a website stores on your device to remember you.
Terms of serviceThe rules you agree to when using a website.
ReportTelling an official body about a scam, so others can be warned.
Website and Device Basics
WebsiteA place on the internet with pages you can read.
LinkUnderlined text you click to go somewhere else.
URL / Web addressThe address of a page, such as esafety.gov.au. Addresses ending in .gov.au are official Australian government sites.
TabOne page open in your browser. You can have several at once.
ScrollMoving up and down a page.
Copy and pasteTaking a piece of text and putting it somewhere else.
RefreshReloading a page when it looks stuck.
DeviceYour phone, tablet or computer.
Wi-FiThe wireless connection that gets your device onto the internet.
Screen readerSoftware that reads a page aloud for people who cannot see it easily.
