TERBISFrom Syntax to Ontology
On semantics, meaning, and how AI understands language. An in-depth series on ontology and AI communication.
The Future Belongs to Philosophers (and Others Who Know Their Grammar)
There's been a lot of talk about AI taking our jobs. Programmers, lawyers, copywriters – everyone's gotten their own little scare. But it's time to give credit to a profession that's long wandered around the coffee break table a bit forgotten: the people who can actually express themselves. Because here's the small irony of the AI revolution: the smarter the machines get, the more it matters that we get better at talking to them. We're heading toward an increasingly language-driven interface to the world – where the command line is replaced by conversation (think Siri and Alexa) – and where the difference between a mediocre and a brilliant result is no longer about which code you can write, but about which words you choose.
What is semantics – and why was the philosopher arguing with his quill pen about it?
Semantics is the study of meaning – how words and sentences convey what we actually mean. It sounds academic, but it has become highly practical knowledge in a world where we increasingly talk to AI.
Ontology – the word that sounds harder than it needs to be
Ontology is about which things exist, what they're called, and how they relate to each other. An ancient philosophical concept that can become the invisible blueprint behind AI systems that need to understand a business domain.
Context – and is "context engineering" the new black?
A perfect map won't help you if you don't know where you're standing on it. The fourth and final part of the series is about context, why "context engineering" became a buzzword, and why the best route there often starts with the right question.