Genetic algorithms are a type of evolutionary algorithm that use techniques inspired by Darwinian evolution such as inheritance, mutation, selection, and crossover. They are commonly used to find optimal or near-optimal solutions to difficult problems by mimicking natural selection. A genetic algorithm initializes a population of random solutions and uses selection, crossover, and mutation to generate new solutions. The fittest solutions survive to be selected for the next generation. This process is repeated until a termination condition is reached. Genetic algorithms are inspired by biological evolution and can be applied to optimization and search problems.