In AI and machine learning, a vector is a list of numbers representing data such as text or images in a form models can process mathematically. This is distinct from the GIS meaning of vector as geometric shapes.
When an AI model processes text, it converts words or passages into vectors. Similar content produces similar vectors, enabling semantic comparison.
This is different from the GIS use of vector, which refers to geometric data types such as points, lines, and polygons representing geographic features.