What is Machine Learning
Machine Learning (ML), like Natural Language Processing, is a subset of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
This field of study mixes AI with Computer Science, using algorithms and structural models to analyze data patterns.
As a result, it imitates the way the human brain learns, giving computers the ability to learn by mimicking human behavior.
ML has been around for quite a while, but it got exploited in the last few decades.
This possibility arises due to having more data and better computers and algorithms.
How Does Machine Learning (ML) Work?
Machine Learning models have three main elements.
These edges are computational algorithms, variables and features, and the base training data.
Data scientists introduce the training data, labeled or unlabeled, into the algorithm.
Then, new data is fed to the algorithm to check if it works as intended.
Finally, the prediction and the results are checked to ensure a match.
If there isn’t a match, the algorithm will need retraining.
Machine Learning vs Artificial Intelligence
Are AI and Machine Learning the same? Yes and no.
Machine Learning is a subfield or application of Artificial Intelligence, so ML is part of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
The notion behind AI is that computers can learn with existing decision-making examples and replicate human intelligence.
As a result, we can build intelligent machines that can perform human tasks.
Since AI is quite broad, it's divided into a wide range of subfields. In addition, these may also have their subfields.
Some Artificial Intelligence subfields are speech processing, fuzzy language, Neural Networks, and robotics. And, of course, Machine Learning.
What sets Machine Learning apart from AI is that ML can evolve. AI aims to get computers to simulate human behavior and human language.
Meanwhile, ML focuses on computers learning automatically without previous programming.
To learn more about AI in Software Development, check out our article!
Machine Learning vs Deep Learning
Like ML is a subfield of AI, Deep Learning (DL) is a sub-field of Machine Learning.
Yet, Deep Learning's basis is Artificial Neural Networks, which share the same principles as biological ones.
They learn to perform tasks based on datasets and examples.
Neural Networks need more than three processing layers, such as input, hidden and output layers.
In the end, these serve to extract higher-level features from input variables.
Although ML and DL have vast connections, we can still point out some differences.
Machine Learning algorithms are less complex and can run on conventional computers.
On the other hand, Deep Learning algorithms require more powerful hardware and resources, including a dedicated GPU.
Likewise, while Machine Learning requires ongoing human intervention, DL's intervention is minimal.
In terms of effectiveness, Machine Learning systems take less time to set up but may not provide instantaneous results.
On the other hand, while it may take longer, Deep Learning can give immediate results.
One of the main reasons for this difference is the size of the data they work with.
First, Machine Learning methods comprise thousands of data points.
However, Deep Learning models consist of millions, making them heavily reliant on Big Data.
Types of Machine Learning (ML)
Depending on who you ask, there are three or four Machine Learning types (or models).
Supervised, Unsupervised, and Reinforcement Learning are the three core ones.
1. Supervised Learning
In Supervised Machine Learning, machines learn by example.
Algorithms have historical, labeled data for the machine understand the relation between two data points.
A supervised algorithm learns to predict future events from previously experienced data.
Some of its algorithms are Decision Trees and Linear Regression algorithms.
2. Unsupervised Learning
On the other hand, Unsupervised Machine Learning can work with unlabeled data.
While it does not need human intervention, since the data is not labeled, output may be incorrect sometimes.
Algorithms do pattern recognition by studying data to organize it and create hidden structures.
That's why Unsupervised Learning focuses on building Predictive Models.
Some algorithms used in Unsupervised Learning include k-means and Gaussian Mixture Models.
4. Reinforcement Learning
Lastly. Reinforcement Learning mimics how humans learn.
Algorithms improve and learns using a trial-and-error model.
These receive reinforcement for favorable outcomes and is “punished” for unfavorable ones.
A reinforcement agent AI is in charge of rewarding and punishing the algorithm.
Temporal Difference and Q-learning are examples of reinforcement learning algorithms.
What can Machine Learning (ML) do?
Machine Learning has countless potential uses.
We couldn’t cover them all, but we’ll give you a handful of examples.
The truth is that there are many applications for Machine Learning in pretty much every industry.
This list includes manufacturing, retail, banking, cybersecurity, customer service, and sales.
Popular ML uses include Predictive Analysis, Recommendation Engines, and Speech Recognition.
Below, we’ll go over some real-life examples of Machine Learning.
- Image and Speech Recognition. These two encompass labeling X-rays, tagging photos and recognizing handwriting, as well as voice dialing and voice search.
- Self-Driving Cars. Tesla and Tata are working toward self-driving cars with a training process that leverages Supervised ML to detect people and objects.
- Medical Diagnosis. Doctors can analyze patient data to help make diagnoses, even in oncology to detect cancerous tissue.
- Traffic Prediction. ML can predict shortest routes and traffic congestions, as seen in the Google Maps app, among others.
- Automatic Translation. The most known example, Google Translate, has evolved quite a bit over the last few years, although mostly accompanied by human review.
- Product Recommendations. You are probably familiar with Netflix and Spotify’s recommendations: we have these thanks to Machine Learning!
- Virtual Assistants. You might also be familiar with assistants that c play music, call people or search the internet through voice commands.
- Spam Filtering. Machine Learning is also behind spam filtering for your email account and classification algorithms!
Why is Machine Learning important?
Machine Learning has a myriad of applications that serve not only businesses but each one of us.
Further, ML helps automate tasks in a way that frees up our time so we can devote it to more critical tasks.
Not to mention, it is helping improve our quality of life.
ML is already improving cancer treatments and helping with remote patient monitoring.
Venture applications include care task automation, independent component analysis and fraudulent transaction detection.
Other examples enclose cross-channel marketing, predictive maintenance, and enhanced customer experience.
On top of everything, Machine Learning can potentially take over dangerous jobs.
In this context, another tremendous potential application is shortening traditional programming times.
The truth is that Machine Learning algorithmic models are already making a difference in the world.
Moreover, it could make a considerably larger one in the short term.
Conclusion
Machine Learning techniques have made strides over the last decade alone.
This subfield of AI has outstanding potential, and we can’t wait to see how it evolves!
We hope this article gave you a comprehensive overview.
If you want to master Machine Learning, you can now do it in the properly!
