Today we often hear about Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence. Machine Learning algorithms are currently used in various fields. For example, we find applications in online shopping, in interactions with social media, in financial services, in health care, in the marketing sector to manage targeted advertising, etc.
Therefore it is essential to know the term of Machine Learning and understand where it is applied.
Machine Learning definition
Machine Learning, abbreviated ML, is a branch of Artificial Intelligence. The basic idea is that robots (or more generally systems) can perform actions as if they were humans or animals.
Knowledge is acquired through machine learning programs, as with humans who acquire knowledge based on experience.
Machine Learning algorithms use mathematical-computational methods that analyze data thanks to which the construction of analytical models is automated.
Machine Learning example
After giving the definition of Machine Learning, let’s analyze some examples.
Let’s first look at this simple artificial intelligence program created on the Program the Future site: Artificial Intelligence for the sea.
After logging in at the time of the code, start the game which is based on the identification of waste by an Artificial Intelligence.
You will therefore be presented with an AI that must be trained. In fact, the Artificial Intelligence does not know if an object is a fish or a waste but we can give it instructions, labeling images or diagrams.
Each image can be labeled as fish or as waste. This acts as training and will then allow the Artificial Intelligence to recognize a refusal from a fish when new images are presented to it.
Machine Learning algorithms
We continue, in the context of Machine Learning, to give some other definitions by presenting the algorithms that determine the approach to a given problem.
The main types of algorithms are:
- Supervised
- Unsupervised
- Semi supervised
- For reinforcement
What is the difference? Simply in the way they acquire data to make predictions.
Supervised learning
In this type of algorithm, which is the most used one of Machine Learning algorithms, learning is managed just like a child memorizes animals by looking at some example images. As in the example seen on Program the future, where Artificial Intelligence is educated with images.
The algortimo therefore learns from a labeled data set. For example, this can be used in marketing, identifying products that the user may like based on the images he or she has chosen in the past. It is therefore based on experience.
Among these algorithms we will study, later in the guide, the linear and logistic regression algorithms.
Unsupervised learning
Unsupervised learning, on the other hand, is a Machine Learning alghoritm used on data that does not have a classification, that is, on non-labeled data.
Therefore, the right answer is not provided but the goal is to leave the algorithm to search for hidden characteristics or data.
The use of this algorithm occurs above all with transactional data. So, for example, the algorithm can identify users who have similar needs to address ad hoc marketing campaigns. In fact, by analyzing this data, for us human beings there may not be a sense that the algorithm is able to give.
Let’s take a purely explanatory example: the algorithm could identify that the population that buys more organic food needs less medical care (because for example they never buy drugs), therefore the algorithm could recommend a greater purchase of organic food, to safeguard health, to the people who need it most.
Semi Supervised Machine Learning
As we can easily guess, it is a ‘hybrid’ model that has the same applications as the supervised model, that is, a set of data is provided where certain inputs correspond to outputs, but also data with no output as in the unsupervised one.
An example of application is found for example in cameras that are able to identify a human face.
Machine Learning for Reinforcement
In this case we move on to a reinforcement learning according to which we learn from experiments and errors to reach a goal. The idea is to improve the functionality of the system by reinforcement, that is, the reward. Kind of like when you promise children candy if they reach a goal.
So when you reach the goal you have a reward, while if you don’t reach it, you don’t give anything or give you a punishment. The aim is to maximize the rewards by choosing the correct actions.
This type of approach is used in robotics and video games for example where a computer learns to beat an opponent based on the moves that have given him the most benefits previously.
Deep Learning algorithms are part of it.
Conclusion
In this lesson we talked about Machine Learning and we gave its definition by also talking about the different algorithms used in this sector. In future lessons I will continue to talk about this topic again.