1.05 Generative AI tools and platforms

Generative AI tools and platforms represent a diverse ecosystem of specific software applications and online services designed to empower users – even those without specialised technical skills – to create entirely new and original content. This generated content can manifest in many forms, including well-structured written text, unique and often striking images, customised audio recordings, and even dynamic video clips. The typical mode of interaction with these tools involves users providing natural language instructions or detailed descriptions, commonly referred to as “prompts.” These innovative tools are rapidly becoming more common, sophisticated, and accessible, finding a wide array of applications in everyday life, various professional fields, and, very significantly, within the landscape of adult education.

Here’s a closer look at some of the common categories of generative AI tools and their functionalities.

Text generators

These tools are primarily powered by advanced Large Language Models (LLMs) and specialise in producing a wide spectrum of written content.

• Examples: Prominent examples include OpenAI’s ChatGPT, Google’s Gemini, and Anthropic’s Claude.
• How they’re used: Their versatility is a key asset. Adult learners can leverage these tools to generate concise summaries of lengthy academic articles, draft professional emails or cover letters, obtain clear explanations of complex or abstract topics in simpler terms, or create sets of practice quiz questions to reinforce their learning. Educators, on the other hand, can use them as assistants to draft initial outlines for lesson plans, develop engaging example scenarios for class discussions or problem-solving activities, or generate informational handouts and supplementary reading materials. For instance, an adult learner preparing for a professional certification in project management could ask, “Generate 10 multiple-choice questions covering key concepts in Agile methodology, including explanations for the correct answers and why the distractors are incorrect.” The implications are significant: reduced preparation time for educators, and personalised, on-demand learning support for learners.

Image generators

These platforms are designed to create entirely original pictures, detailed illustrations, or artistic visuals based on textual descriptions provided by the user.

• Examples: Well-known tools in this category include OpenAI’s DALL-E, Google’s Imagen, the artistically-focused Midjourney, the open-source Stable Diffusion, Adobe Firefly (which is specifically trained on Adobe Stock images and public domain content, making its outputs generally safer for commercial or public use), Ideogram (noted for its improved ability to accurately render text within generated images), and Canva Magic Media (which seamlessly integrates AI image generation capabilities directly into the popular Canva design environment, alongside its broader “Magic” AI suite).
• How they’re used: The applications are vast. An adult learner working on a presentation for a community history project, perhaps related to themes explored in HER[AI]TAGE, could prompt an image generator: “Create a realistic, historically plausible illustration of a 19th-century traditional marketplace scene in a small Croatian riverside village, showing local crafts and attire.” Educators can use these tools to create highly specific and culturally relevant custom visuals for their learning materials, making them more engaging and memorable. This is particularly valuable when suitable stock photography is limited, expensive, or fails to accurately represent the specific cultural context or diversity required. This democratises the creation of high-quality visual aids.

Audio and video generators

This category includes tools that can convert written scripts into natural-sounding spoken audio or create various types of video content, sometimes featuring AI-generated human-like avatars.

• Audio Examples: ElevenLabs is known for its high-quality voice generation, voice cloning capabilities (use of cloning requires careful ethical consideration), and recent updates to conversational AI tools.  Suno (v4.5) and AIVA are examples of AI tools that can generate original music or soundscapes, with Suno v4.5 offering longer tracks and improved vocals for subscribers.
• Video Examples: Platforms like Synthesia and HeyGen enable the creation of videos featuring AI avatars that speak from a provided script, useful for instructional content or announcements.  Tools such as Pictory (using VideoGPT) and RunwayML (Gen-4 with “References” for consistency) can transform textual content (like articles or scripts) into videos, often by automatically sourcing or generating relevant visuals and adding narration.  Furthermore, emerging advanced generative video models like OpenAI’s Sora and Google’s Veo 3 (with audio/dialogue, available to some paying subscribers via Gemini/Flow) demonstrate the incredible future potential of AI in sophisticated video creation.
• How they’re used: An educator could type a set of complex safety instructions and use an AI voice generator to create a clear, easily understandable audio recording for learners, which can be particularly helpful for auditory learners or those with reading difficulties. For a project like HER[AI]TAGE, AI voice technology could be instrumental in creating an engaging audiobook of collected traditional stories, perhaps even using different voices for different characters (with ethical consent if based on real individuals). AI avatar videos can efficiently deliver short instructional segments, welcome messages for online courses, or explainers for complex processes, offering a consistent and scalable way to produce video content.

The following table provides a summary:

THE POWER AND ART OF PROMPTING

The quality, relevance, and overall usefulness of the content generated by these diverse AI tools are heavily dependent on the clarity and specificity of the prompts users provide. Crafting effective prompts is a skill in itself. Good prompts are not only clear and specific but also detailed, providing sufficient context about the desired output, target audience, style, tone, and any constraints. For example, when using an image generator, instead of a vague prompt like “a classroom,” a significantly better prompt would be: “A bright, modern, and inclusive adult education classroom setting. Feature a diverse group of approximately 5 adult learners of various ages and ethnicities, actively engaged in a collaborative discussion around a large circular table. The room should have large windows showing a sunny day with a view of a city park. The desired style is photorealistic with warm lighting.” Developing good prompting skills often involves experimentation and iteration, adjusting the prompt based on the AI’s output to achieve results that more closely match the user’s needs and creative vision.

ACCESSIBILITY FEATURES – A KEY BENEFIT

A significant advantage of many generative AI platforms is their incorporation of features designed to support users with different needs, thereby making learning more inclusive and accessible. Integrated text-to-speech (TTS) functions can read any textual content aloud, which is invaluable for individuals with visual impairments or reading difficulties such as dyslexia. Conversely, voice input capabilities allow users who struggle with typing or have motor impairments to interact with these tools effectively and create content using their voice.

The increasing availability and user-friendliness of these generative AI tools mean they can save considerable time, reduce the dependency on advanced technical design or video production skills, and unlock new creative avenues for all adults, irrespective of their background or prior experience with sophisticated technology. They offer powerful and flexible ways to personalise learning experiences and create richer, more engaging educational resources that cater to a wider range of learning styles and needs.

PRACTICAL EXAMPLES