Promptus, a platform that helps people use AI tools without needing to be a tech wizard.
Here's What You Actually Need to Know
AI image tools are everywhere. You’ve probably seen weird, funny, or beautiful AI-generated art on Instagram or TikTok — stuff made with prompts like “a panda DJ in a nightclub” or “a futuristic city made of candy.”
Pretty cool, right?
But if you’re trying to actually understand how these tools work (or even build with them), the words people use — “Stable Diffusion,” “image-to-image AI,” “photos to AI” — can feel super confusing.
So let me break it down for you. I’m Claudia. I help run Promptus, a platform that helps people use AI tools without needing to be a tech wizard. Here's a simple guide to the terms, how they fit together, and how to start learning fast — without falling asleep.
Step One: What’s Going In, What’s Coming Out?
Most AI image tools are built around three big ideas:
- Input → What you give the AI
This could be words (a prompt) or a photo/sketch. - Output → What the AI gives you
This is the image it creates — usually based on your input. - Engine → The tech behind the scenes
This is the actual software that powers the magic.
Here Are the Terms You’ll Hear — And What They Mean
Let’s go through the most common ones, in simple terms:
🕹️ Want to Learn These Terms Fast?
At Promptus, we made a simple and fun AI Terms Game that helps you learn these terms by playing. You click on a word, see what it means, and even test yourself.
It’s kind of like flashcards — but not boring.
👉 Play the game here →
💬 Why Should You Care About These Terms?
If you’re into design, tech, gaming, content creation, or just want to build something cool — knowing how to talk about AI is a game-changer.
- You’ll sound smarter in convos and interviews.
- You can build projects faster (or explain them better to friends, teachers, or investors).
- You’ll actually understand what’s happening when you use these tools.
🚀 Real Talk: Start with These Questions
If you ever feel overwhelmed, just ask:
- What am I putting into the tool? (Words? A photo?)
- What do I want it to give me back?
- What tool or engine is making it happen?
That’s literally it. You don’t need to know every algorithm or codebase. Start simple. Learn one term a day. Mess around with free AI tools online.
Just don’t be afraid of not knowing everything. None of us do. But the people who grow are the ones who ask good questions and keep experimenting.
Go create. Go play. And when you’re ready to build something, you’ll already speak the language.
– Claudia
Co-founder of Promptus | Builder | Big fan of children's book illustration artwork
Join our creator newsletter
Stay up-to-date with the creator tips, workflows, models announcements and news.

