Machine Learning means a machine which is learning on itself and is a method of automated data analysis. It is the science that enables computers to analyze data and automatically build models from that data. The machine can feed on data and adapt itself to make more precise predictions and act accordingly.
What is Machine Learning?
Machine Learning has been there all the time. Do you remember simple pattern recognition algorithms? These algorithms were the basis of machine learning. In today’s world, you can easily find more complex data analysis algorithms to produce more reliable and precise results.
Once programmed, these complex algorithms do not require any further programming. They can adapt and teach themselves based on the data provided to them. Consider a self-driving car; the machine learning algorithms implemented under the hood ensure that the car can learn and make decisions independently. So the more the car has been driven, the more precise and accurate decisions it will take.
Another major area of their use is data security and malware detection. Modern antivirus solutions tend to learn from the usage of different users and create more sustainable software that can close major security loopholes. Fraudulent transactions can be detected and pointed out with the help of these algorithms and some real-world data.
How to learn ‘Machine Learning’?
Computer and technology experts say machine learning will be the most desired field in the future. Also, the data engineers are paid much better than the conventional software developers/engineers. If, anyhow, the big data interests you and you’ve been the stats king of your class. Or maybe this engineering field seems intuitive to you; you can make a career out of it.
To get started, you must be familiar with basic computer science. Basic computer science is taught in the first year of most of the colleges around the world. But if you happen to be changing fields to computer science or do not study computers in college, you need to check out some basic computer programming. I would suggest Harvard’s CS50 anytime. It is free as an online course on EDx, and you can opt for a paid certificate.
Machine Learning vs Artificial Intelligence
Machine Learning is usually confused with Artificial Intelligence but I say that Machine Learning is a subset of Artificial Intelligence. Artificial Intelligence is a wider concept of making computers and machine carry out tasks themselves. And Machine Learning is about adapting algorithms to the data provided.
I would like to quote an answer at Quora from Xavier Amatriain:
Machine learning is a particular approach to artificial intelligence. It is true that it is proving to me the most successful approach to AI. But, I disagree with ———‘s answer: it is NOT the “only” approach.
For example, you’d be surprised to hear that some of the self-driving cars that currently use AI use very little machine learning and mostly use rule-based systems.
That said, I would agree that most AI applications nowadays are indeed using or will use ML soon.
Read the complete answer here.
Microsoft Azure Machine Learning
Azure is a cloud service offered by Microsoft that lets you build and deploy m]powerful machine-learning applications on the go. It is all about creating applications that use predictive analysis to report futuristic situations. The applications can predict upcoming errors and difficult situations based on the data. The complex algorithms used here also belong to Xbox, Cortana and other Microsoft products. You can signup for a Microsoft Azure Machine Learning Studio for free or opt a 9.99$/month package that includes a lot of features.
Machine learning is a very interesting field to study. If you happen to love data, you will love Machine Learning. Check out all the articles that I’ve linked at various places in this post. They will impress and motivate you to read more about this interesting science.
The industry is moving fast.