Understanding The Differences Between AI And Machine Learning

Understanding The Differences Between AI And Machine Learning

Highlights


Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) are two distinct fields, with ML being a subfield of AI.
– AI aims to create intelligent machines that can perform tasks requiring human-like intelligence, while ML enables machines to learn from data without being explicitly programmed.

– ML has a wide range of applications, including image and speech recognition, natural language processing, autonomous vehicles, recommender systems, and fraud detection.


Introduction

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) are two fields that have gained significant attention in recent years, especially following the COVID-19 pandemic. Although the terms are often used interchangeably, they represent distinct concepts that are critical to the advancement of computing technology.

In this article, we will provide an overview of AI and ML and explore the differences between the two fields.

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Artificial Intelligence (AI)

AI is a broad field within computer science that is focused on creating intelligent machines capable of performing tasks that would typically require human intelligence. The overarching goal of AI is to develop machines that can function autonomously, adapt to new situations, and interact with the world in ways that are comparable to human beings.

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AI has been a subject of research and development for several decades. However, recent advancements in computing power and the availability of vast datasets have led to significant progress in AI research. Today, AI encompasses several subfields, including ML.

READ ALSO: How Robotic Process Automation Helps Businesses

Machine Learning (ML)

ML is a subfield of AI that focuses on enabling machines to learn from data without being explicitly programmed. In traditional programming, a programmer writes code to instruct a computer how to perform a task. In contrast, with ML, a computer learns from data and experiences to make predictions or decisions.

The primary goal of ML is to develop algorithms that can learn from data, make predictions or decisions, and improve over time with more data. The fundamental concept in ML is a model, which is a mathematical representation of a system or process that enables predictions or decisions to be made based on the input data.

 

Types of ML Algorithms

There are several types of ML algorithms, including supervised learning, unsupervised learning, and reinforcement learning.

Supervised Learning: In supervised learning, we train a model on labeled data, where the desired output is known for each input. For example, we can train a model to recognize handwritten digits by providing it with labeled images of digits.

Unsupervised Learning: In unsupervised learning, we train a model on unlabeled data, where we do not know the desired output. The goal of unsupervised learning is to discover patterns or structure in the data.

Reinforcement Learning: In reinforcement learning, we train a model to interact with an environment and learn from feedback in the form of rewards or penalties.



Applications of Machine Learning


ML has a wide range of applications, including image and speech recognition, natural language processing, autonomous vehicles, recommender systems, and fraud detection, among others. ML has also enabled significant advancements in other fields, such as healthcare, finance, and manufacturing.


Conclusion

In conclusion, AI and ML are two distinct but related fields. AI focuses on creating intelligent machines capable of performing tasks that would typically require human intelligence, while ML is a subfield of AI that focuses on enabling machines to learn from data without being explicitly programmed. ML has enabled significant advancements in various fields and has the potential to transform many aspects of our lives in the future. In upcoming articles, we will delve deeper into AI and ML and explore their applications in various industries.

Aka
Aka Ekene, PBA Journalism Mentee
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