Artificial intelligence and machine learning are both terms that marketing teams have co-opted to create hype without explaining how their technology works. This post breaks down the difference between artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies.
What is Artificial Intelligence?
Artificial intelligence, or AI, is a subset of computer science involved with writing algorithms to allow computers to learn and make decisions for themselves. By allowing computers to take decisions into their own hands, artificial intelligence allows tasks that were once impossible to be achieved.
The importance of artificial intelligence lies in the possibility for computers to make decisions for themselves instead of having humans take care of every little decision that needs to be made. This can lead to huge improvements in efficiency and accuracy by removing the need for a human component in many situations.
What is Machine Learning?
Machine learning is a branch of artificial intelligence concerned with the construction and study of algorithms that can learn and make decisions based on data. It differs from other forms of AI in that it represents an automated method for obtaining data-driven results without being explicitly programmed. Machine learning is often used to build artificial neural networks and deep learning systems.
The benefits of using machine learning include its ability to quickly learn from large amounts of data, analyze very complex data sets, and its accuracy in predicting outcomes. However, the main challenge in using machine learning is making sure the algorithm understands the data set well enough to reach valid conclusions.
How Are the Two Different?
Artificial intelligence and machine learning are both subfields of computer science, but they have some key differences. The first is that machine learning is a subset of AI, which means that all machine learning falls under the category of AI, but not vice versa.
Another difference is that artificial intelligence is focused on machines doing tasks that require intelligence and humans having to program the machines to complete those tasks. On the other hand, machine learning requires the machines to be able to learn from information by themselves.
AI can be used for many things, one of which is image recognition. The AI would have to be pre-programmed to recognize different objects in an image, and then it can identify them with a great degree of accuracy. Machine learning is also used in image recognition, but instead of having a set definition for each object it finds in an image, it will learn what each object looks like over time.