Lesson 595 of 1570
What an API Call Is (Why It Matters for AI)
When apps use AI, they make API calls. Understanding this helps you understand how AI gets into the apps you use.
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What this lesson covers
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The main moves in order
- 1The big idea
- 2API
- 3behind the scenes
- 4AI deployment
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Section 1
The big idea
Apps that use AI make 'API calls' — they send your message to a big AI server and get back a response. Knowing this helps you understand pricing, latency, and privacy in AI apps.
Some examples
- When you chat with ChatGPT, your message goes to OpenAI's server.
- When you use AI in Notion, it calls AI's API behind the scenes.
- API calls cost money — that is why some AI apps charge.
- API calls take time — that is why some AI apps have latency.
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