What is AI?
Artificial Intelligence (AI), a term introduced by the Stanford Professor John McCarthy in 1955, was originally described as "the science and engineering of making intelligent machines." Initially, AI research centered on programming machines to demonstrate certain behaviors, like playing games. However, the current focus is on crafting machines with the capacity to learn, resembling aspects of human learning processes.
Andresen, S. L. (2002). John McCarthy: father of AI. IEEE Intelligent Systems, 17(5), 84-85.
Learn More
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O'Reilly for Higher Education This link opens in a new windowO’Reilly offers hundreds of courses, audiobooks, ebooks, videos and more on many aspects of AI and machine learning at beginner to advanced levels. It includes topics such as AI Python programming, Gen AI for finance, deep dives on specific tools like Midjourney, and beginner-friendly courses and titles on GenAI.
Free AI Tools
This short list of AI tools are mostly free but may have some limitations, including that they may:
- Only provide basic responses to common queries but may struggle with more complex interactions
- Provide lower quality answers
- Have limited integration capabilities
- Have limited or no dedicated support
- Limit the number of queries in a given time
- Have advertisements
Text Generators
- ChatGPTA large language model-based chatbot developed by OpenAI which can be engaged with prompts.
- CopilotMicrosoft's large language model-based chatbot
- GeminiGoogle's large language model-based chatbot. Students will have institutional access to Gemini through TMU starting in late summer 2025. Faculty and staff have access as of April 29.
- Perplexity AIA large language model-based chatbot that is powered GPT-4 and Claude 2. Turning on co-pilot helps refine your database searches by asking questions.
- ClaudeAn AI assistant from Anthropic
Image Generators
- Adobe FireflyFirefly uses text prompts to generate artwork, which can then be customized into a variety of styles. The free version has 25 monthly generative credits.
- CopilotMicrosoft's large language model-based chatbot
- MidJourneyA generative artificial intelligence program and service that generates images. It is created and hosted by San Francisco–based independent research lab Midjourney, Inc.
- Canva Image GeneratorAn AI image generator by Canva
Writing & Study Aid
- GrammarlyAn AI writing tool that can generate text based on prompts and check spelling and grammar.
- NotionAn organizational tool that acts as an all-in-one workspace, now with AI.
- Otter AIAn AI notetaker that transcribes meetings and lectures. Obtain permission before recording or transcribing.
- QuizletAn interactive study tool that can quiz you on content
Other Tools & Resources
- Rubric for Evaluating AI ToolsCriteria for evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of AI tools
- There's an AI for ThatDatabase for AIs available for different tasks. Uses an AI search to find the best AI tools for multiple use cases.
Creative Commons License
This guide has been created by the Toronto Metropolitan University Library and is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution International 4.0 License unless otherwise marked.
