The AI Map
Artificial intelligence has layers — and once you see how they nest, every news headline starts to make sense.
The AI Pyramid
Each layer is a more specific kind of the layer above it.
Artificial Intelligence
Layer 1The umbrella term.
Machine Learning
Layer 2AI that learns from data.
Deep Learning
Layer 3ML with neural networks.
Generative AI
Layer 4Deep learning that creates content.
Key AI Concepts
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Software that performs tasks that usually need human intelligence.
Machine Learning (ML)
AI that learns patterns from examples instead of being hand-coded.
Deep Learning
ML using layered neural networks — the engine behind modern AI.
Generative AI
AI that creates new text, images, audio, or code.
AI Agents
Programs that plan steps, use tools, and act on their own.
Prompt Engineering
Writing instructions that get the best output from AI models.
AI Automation
Using AI inside workflows to remove repetitive human work.
Computer Vision
Teaching machines to understand images and video.
Natural Language Processing
How machines read, understand, and respond to language.
Model Deployment
Putting a trained AI model into a product real users can use.