Browse AI explainers
Explore simple AI explanations by topic. Start with the basics, move into tools and workflows, and compare popular assistants without jargon.
Start here if you want to understand the core AI concepts before diving into tools and workflows.
Learn what common AI tools and technical building blocks actually do in plain English.
Understand how AI fits into real processes such as RAG, agents, automation, and orchestration.
Compare tools and concepts without hype so you can make better decisions.
AI Basics explainers
What is ChatGPT?
A simple explanation of what ChatGPT is, how it works, and why so many people use it.
What is prompt engineering?
A plain-English explanation of prompt engineering and why better instructions improve AI results.
What is an LLM?
A simple explanation of what a large language model is and why it powers tools like ChatGPT.
What is a token in AI?
A simple explanation of what tokens are in AI and why they matter for prompts, responses, and costs.
What is a context window?
A simple explanation of context windows in AI and why long inputs sometimes still fail.
AI Tools explainers
What is an API?
A beginner-friendly explanation of APIs and how apps and AI tools connect to each other.
What is an embedding?
A plain-English explanation of embeddings and how AI turns meaning into numbers.
What is a vector database?
A beginner-friendly explanation of vector databases and why they are used in AI search systems.
What is inference in AI?
A simple explanation of inference and what happens when an AI model actually produces an answer.
AI Workflows explainers
What is an AI agent?
A plain-English explanation of what an AI agent is and how it differs from a normal chatbot.
What is RAG?
A simple explanation of retrieval-augmented generation and why AI tools use it.
What is MCP?
A beginner-friendly explanation of MCP and why it matters for connecting AI to tools and data.
What is a system prompt?
A beginner-friendly explanation of system prompts and how they shape AI behavior.
What is fine-tuning?
A simple explanation of fine-tuning and when it is used instead of just prompting a model.
What is AI automation?
A simple explanation of AI automation and how it differs from basic automation.
Comparisons explainers
ChatGPT vs Claude
A plain-English comparison of ChatGPT and Claude so beginners can understand the difference.
ChatGPT vs Gemini
A simple comparison of ChatGPT and Gemini for people who want to understand which assistant fits their needs.
Claude vs Gemini
A plain-English comparison of Claude and Gemini for people choosing between major AI assistants.
AI agent vs chatbot
A simple comparison of AI agents and chatbots so people can understand what makes agents different.
RAG vs fine-tuning
A plain-English comparison of RAG and fine-tuning so people can understand when each one is used.
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Common questions about exploring ELI5AI
What should I start with if I am new to AI?
Start with AI Basics. That category covers the core ideas that make the rest of AI much easier to understand.
Does ELI5AI only cover beginner topics?
No. The site starts with beginner-friendly explanations but also covers practical workflows, tools, and comparisons.
How should I use the Explore page?
Use it as a hub. Pick a category, read a few explainers, then move into related topics and follow the learning path to keep improving your understanding.