AI unlocked: A practical guide to generative AI

14 January 2026

Last updated: 21 January 2026

Jaci Badenhorst
NatWest AI Digital Enabler Platform – Product Owner & Finance AI Lead, and Chair of ICAS AI Panel

AI is no longer a distant concept; it’s the engine quietly transforming the way we work.

Since the breakthrough release of ChatGPT in 2022, AI has evolved from academic theory into a practical, everyday tool, reshaping how professionals work. Generative AI takes this leap even further, enabling machines not just to understand information, but to create it, from text and code to images and ideas. 

But with this rapid rise comes an equally important need for understanding. What exactly is AI? How does generative technology really work? And what do you need to know to use it responsibly, confidently and effectively?

Our latest guide offers a clear, user-friendly introduction helping you navigate this new landscape. It breaks down the evolution of AI, demystifies the models behind GenAI, explores real‑world applications, and looks at the risks, from bias to hallucinations, that you need to understand. 

Whether you're curious, cautious or already experimenting with GenAI, this guide gives you the foundations you need to make informed, confident decisions.

Download the guide

Categories:

  • AI & technology