Getting Started with AI

Many popular, free generative AI models use information the public provides to train future models. Once you hit the submit button, what you provided to the AI can never be removed. Sensitive data like credit card numbers and passwords should never be given to AI as other users can prompt it to return that information. It can take and keep things as simple as your writing style.

1. Avoid inputting personal or confidential information into AI that you don't want others to see
2. Opt out of having your data used via the model's privacy policy page
3. Review the company's privacy policy to understand how your data is handled

Reading the privacy policy of the LLMs used is important. Focus on what data they retain and their cookie policies. Some companies such as OpenAI (ChatGPT) allow users to opt out of data retention. Here is a sample of privacy statements as of 2/5/2024:

• ChatGPT's privacy policy states, "As noted above, we may use Content you provide us to improve our Services, for example to train the models that power ChatGPT."
• Claude's privacy policy states,  "If you include personal data in your Prompts, we will collect that information and this information may be reproduced in the Outputs."
• Llama 2's terms of service states, "When information is shared with AIs, the AIs may retain and use that information to provide more personalized Outputs. Do not share information that you don’t want the AIs to retain and use. Do not share account identifiers or passwords."
• Bard's privacy notice states, "Google collects your Bard conversations, related product usage information, info about your location, and your feedback . . . This data helps us provide, improve, and develop Google products, services, and machine-learning technologies, like those that power Bard."

This is not a complete list of available models.

There are many free AI models and the numbers grow every day. This list will not be all free models that are available, only the most popular ones.

Writing & coding:

ChatGPT

Claude (Requires email and phone number)

Images

Dream by Wombo

Adobe Firefly (Requires email)

Songs

Udio

Suno (Requires email)

It is important to always go straight to the model's website that you want to use and not simply google 'AI' and click the first links that pop up. You are responsible for knowing which model is being used to cite your AI use and avoid scams and malware. You should not use random websites with AI plugins, as they could be coming from anywhere and use harmful models.