What is Machine Learning?

Scientific study of algorithms and statistical models that computer systems use to perform tasks without explicit instructions.

Machine Learning (ML) is a subset of artificial intelligence that provides systems the ability to automatically learn and improve from experience without being explicitly programmed. It focuses on the development of computer programs that can access data and use it to learn for themselves.

Brief History of Machine Learning

The concept of machine learning has been around for a long time. The term "machine learning" was first coined by Arthur Samuel in 1959. He was an American pioneer in the field of computer gaming and artificial intelligence, and defined machine learning as "the ability to learn without being explicitly programmed."

In the 1990s, machine learning evolved from the concept of artificial intelligence. The shift started to occur with the development of algorithms that could be used to train and optimize models that stemmed from statistical analysis.

Importance and Need for Machine Learning

Machine learning is important because it gives enterprises a view of trends in customer behavior and business operational patterns, as well as supports the development of new products. Many of today's leading companies, such as Netflix, Google, and Amazon, use machine learning to improve customer experience and streamline operations.

Machine learning algorithms also help organizations to detect fraud, minimize identity theft, and prevent network outages. In healthcare, machine learning is being used to predict illnesses and help in creating personalized treatment plans. In finance, machine learning algorithms are used to price assets and manage portfolios.

Difference between Machine Learning and Traditional Programming

In traditional programming, a programmer creates a set of instructions or rules that the computer must follow to produce a desired output. The programmer essentially needs to have a solution to the problem and know how to implement it.

On the other hand, in machine learning, the algorithm is not explicitly told how to solve the problem. Instead, it is shown what the correct or desired output looks like and it must figure out how to produce similar outputs from new inputs. In other words, the machine learns from data to create a model that can make accurate predictions or decisions without being specifically programmed to perform the task.

In conclusion, machine learning is a powerful tool that is reshaping the way we live and work. It offers a way to build models that can adapt to the world and make predictions or decisions based on data, rather than relying on explicitly programmed rules.