AIGP Study Guide
Module 1: Foundations of AI · BoK IV.A

The AI family tree

Each layer is a subset of the one above: GenAI ⊂ DL ⊂ ML ⊂ AI. Agentic AI is the odd one out - it can be comprised of all categories of AI, leveraging different models depending on the task.

Each layer is a subset of the one above. The nesting order is GenAI ⊂ DL ⊂ ML ⊂ AI. Agentic AI is the odd one out - it can draw on all of them.

Machine learning (ML) → algorithms that learn patterns from data and improve over time without explicit programming.

Deep learning (DL):

  • ML using multi-layered neural networks simulating the human brain
  • Wins over classic ML → processes unstructured data, finds hidden patterns, can learn unsupervised
  • Reduces manual feature engineering, extracts features from raw data itself
  • Needs large high-quality data + heavy compute
  • Examples → Google DeepMind, Tesla Autopilot

Generative AI (GenAI):

  • DL models that generate new content → text, images, video
  • Output is representative of training data but distinctly unique (learns "cat", draws a brand-new cat)
  • Ethical concern → misuse for misinformation
  • Examples → ChatGPT, Gemini, GitHub Copilot, Adobe Firefly, Claude, Microsoft Copilot

Agentic AI:

  • Goal-oriented → autonomously decides, plans, executes and adapts with minimal human guidance
  • Solves multistep problems with limited supervision
  • Relies on patterns and likelihoods to act
  • Highly adaptable → improves through reinforced learning
  • Can be comprised of all categories of AI, leveraging different models depending on the task

Key terms - quick answers

What is “Machine learning (ML)”?
Algorithms that learn patterns from data and improve over time without explicit programming.
What is “Deep learning (DL)”?
ML using multi-layered neural networks; processes unstructured data and reduces feature engineering.
What is “Generative AI (GenAI)”?
DL models that generate new content representative of training data but distinctly unique.
What is “Agentic AI”?
Goal-oriented AI that autonomously plans and executes, drawing on all AI categories per task.