Searching ‘what is machine learning’ in Google opens up a Pandora box of academic research, forums, and lots of false information. The simplest definition of machine learning is the science of allowing computers to act and learn just the way humans do, and enhance their learning over some time, by feeding them information and data in the form of real-world interactions and observation. In even simpler terms, machine learning allows users to feed computer algorithms a large amount of data and have the computer efficiently analyze and make effective data-driven decisions and recommendations based on only the data fed. This article looks at three key basic concepts based on how machine learning works.
Process of Machine Learning
Representation
A machine learning algorithm or model cannot directly sense, hear, or even see input examples. Instead, the user has to create a representation of the data to offer the algorithm with a useful point of view into the data’s main qualities. In essence, for a user to train a model or algorithm, the user has to choose the set of qualities that represent the data best.
Evaluation
After representation, a machine learning model will evaluate the data fed by coming up with a hypothesis. Evaluation involves making predictions on future data. However, users need to understand the context before choosing a suitable metric. Every machine learning model tries to fix a particular problem with a different objective using a specific dataset.
Optimization
Optimization involves a search process, which is the way candidate programs are generated. At this point, the machine learning model uses a suitable metric to come up with accurate data.
Positive Aspects of Machine Learning
Patterns and Trends are Easily Identified
One of the main benefits of machine learning is its ability to review large amounts of data and identify trends and patterns that may not be clear to a human. This has made the technology highly efficient at data mining, especially on an ongoing basis.
Automation
With machine learning, users do not have to monitor their projects constantly. Since technology involves giving machines the ability to learn, they can make predictions and even improve algorithms. A good example of this is anti-virus software, which can filter out new threats.
Continuous Improvement
Over time, machine learning algorithms keep improving efficiency and accuracy, enabling them to make better decisions. For instance, if a user needs to create a weather forecast model, as data keeps growing, the user’s algorithms will learn to make faster and accurate predictions.
Handling multi-variety and multi-dimensional data
Machine learning algorithms are perfect at handling data that are multi-variety and multi-dimensional, and they can do this in uncertain and dynamic environments.
Negative Aspects
Resources and Time
Machine learning requires adequate time to allow the algorithms to develop and learn enough to fulfill their intent with a considerable amount of relevancy and accuracy. It also needs various resources to function.
High-error Susceptibility
In machine learning, users can choose algorithms based on accurate results. Because of this, users must run the results on each algorithm. However, this comes with issues when testing and training data. Most of the time, the data is massive, so eliminating errors becomes almost impossible. Since the data is massive, errors often take time to resolve.