Technology, defined in plain English

AI bias happens when an AI system produces unfair or systematically skewed results.

AI

When an AI system gives an answer that sounds convincing but is made up or wrong. It might invent a fact, quotation or website. A confident tone does not mean the information is true.

AI

An AI model is a trained system that uses patterns in data to make predictions or produce responses.

AI

An AI prompt is the instruction or question you give an AI tool.

AI

A set of steps for completing a task. Think of a recipe: follow the instructions in order and you get a result. Computers use algorithms to sort information, suggest videos and find routes.

Software & Development

An API is a way for two different computer systems to communicate with each other. Imagine you're in a restaurant. You tell the waiter what you want to eat. The waiter takes your request to the kitchen and brings back the food when it's ready. An API works in a similar way. One computer system sends a request to another system, and the API provides an agreed way to ask for information or an action and receive a response. This happens behind the scenes in many websites and apps.

Software & Development

Artificial intelligence, usually called AI, is technology that allows computers to do certain tasks that normally require human thinking. Imagine having an assistant who can quickly look through thousands of pieces of information and help you find an answer, recognize a pattern or make a suggestion. AI can help recognize speech, recommend movies, translate languages and answer questions. However, it doesn't think or understand everything the way a human does, and its answers can sometimes be wrong.

AI

An artificial neural network is a computer system that learns patterns from examples.

AI

Bluetooth lets nearby devices exchange data wirelessly over short distances.

General Business Technology

A computer-based helper you can talk to by typing or speaking. Some chatbots answer from a fixed menu; others use AI to respond more flexibly. They may be useful, but their answers are not always right.

AI

Cloud computing means using computer services that are provided over the internet instead of relying entirely on equipment you own. Imagine renting a storage unit rather than building an extra room onto your house. You can use the space without having to construct and maintain the building yourself. Cloud computing follows a similar idea. Companies provide storage, software and computing power using their own equipment. You connect to these services over the internet. The cloud isn't actually in the sky. The information is stored and processed on real computers in buildings called data centres.

Cloud Computing

Cloud storage lets you save files on internet-connected servers and access them from different devices.

Cloud Computing

Small pieces of information that websites ask your browser to store. Cookies can help keep you signed in or remember preferences. Some are also used to track activity for analytics or advertising.

Cybersecurity

A dashboard brings important information together in one view, often using charts and numbers.

Data & Analytics

A data breach happens when information is accessed or exposed without permission.

Cybersecurity

A data pipeline is a system that moves information from one place to another, often organizing or checking it along the way. Think about the water pipes in a house. Water starts somewhere else, travels through pipes and reaches the place where you need it. A data pipeline works in a similar way, but it moves information instead of water. It can collect information from several places, organize it and deliver it somewhere useful, such as a report.

Data & Analytics

A database is an organized place where a computer stores information so it can be found and updated easily. Think about a library. Books are organized so that you can find a particular title or author without searching through every book in the building. A database works in a similar way with digital information. It helps computer systems store details such as names, appointments, orders or payments and retrieve them when needed.

Data & Analytics

Deep learning is a type of machine learning that uses neural networks with many layers.

AI

A way of scrambling information so people without the correct key cannot easily read it. It helps protect messages, payments and stored files. Encryption does not guarantee that every website or message is trustworthy.

Cybersecurity

Technology that creates new-looking content from your instructions, such as text, pictures, music or computer code. It learns patterns from examples and uses them to produce an output. Always check important details.

AI

A hyperlink is clickable text or an image that takes you to another page, file, or location.

General Business Technology

The internet is a worldwide network that connects computers and devices.

General Business Technology

A large language model, or LLM, is a type of artificial intelligence that works with words and language. It powers many AI chat assistants, for example ChatGPT. You can ask it a question, request help writing a letter or ask it to explain something difficult. Imagine someone who has studied an enormous collection of books, articles and other writing and become very good at recognizing patterns in language. An LLM learns from large amounts of information and uses those patterns to produce responses. It can be helpful, but it can also make up information or provide incorrect answers. Important details should always be checked.

AI

Machine learning is a way of helping computers learn from examples. Imagine teaching a child to recognize different kinds of fruit. You show them pictures of apples, oranges and bananas. After seeing enough examples, they begin to recognize the differences. Machine learning works in a somewhat similar way. A computer examines many examples, looks for patterns and uses those patterns to make predictions about new information. It doesn't learn exactly like a person, and it can make mistakes when the examples are incomplete or misleading.

AI

Multi-factor authentication, or MFA, is an extra security measure that helps protect your online accounts. Imagine your front door has both a key and a separate security code. Someone who steals your key may still be unable to enter because they don't know the code. MFA works in a similar way. When signing in to an account, you may need to enter your password and then complete another check, such as approving a request on your phone or using your fingerprint. This makes it harder for someone to access your account using a stolen password.

Cybersecurity

The main software that helps a phone, tablet or computer run. It manages the device and lets other apps work. Windows, macOS, Android and iOS are examples.

General Business Technology

A tool that helps you create, save and fill in strong passwords. Instead of remembering a different password for every account, you protect the manager with a strong main password or another secure sign-in method.

Cybersecurity

Information that identifies you or can be connected to you, such as your name, email address, phone number or certain online identifiers. Think carefully before sharing it and check why a service needs it.

Cybersecurity

A trick where someone pretends to be a trusted person or organization to get your passwords, money or private information. Phishing often arrives by email or text. Do not use suspicious links; contact the organization through a trusted channel.

Cybersecurity

Prompt engineering means learning how to give an AI tool clear instructions so it can provide a more useful response. Think about asking someone to cook dinner. If you simply say, “Make something nice,” they have to guess what you want. But if you say, “Please make a simple vegetarian dinner for two people using potatoes and vegetables,” the instructions are much clearer. The same idea applies to AI. Explaining what you need, who the answer is for and how you want it presented can improve the result.

AI

A square pattern you scan with a phone camera to open information, often a website or menu. QR codes are convenient, but a code can also lead to a suspicious site. Check the destination before entering details.

General Business Technology

Software as a Service, usually called SaaS and pronounced “sass,” means using a computer program that another company provides and maintains over the internet. Think about subscribing to a movie streaming service. You don't need to own all the equipment used to store and deliver the movies. You sign in and use the service. SaaS works in a similar way with software. Instead of installing and maintaining every program yourself, you use an application that the provider operates. Examples include online email, appointment-booking systems and some accounting tools.

Cloud Computing

A new version or fix for a program or device system. Updates may repair security problems, fix mistakes or add features. Installing trusted updates promptly is an important safety habit.

General Business Technology

Examples a computer system studies while learning to recognize patterns. Just as a person learns from practice questions, an AI system learns from large collections of information. The quality of those examples matters.

AI

Two-factor authentication adds a second check when you sign in, such as a code or security key.

Cybersecurity

The address of a page or resource on the internet. You often see it at the top of your browser, such as https://example.com. Check the address carefully before entering personal details.

General Business Technology

A website is a collection of web pages you can visit using a browser.

General Business Technology