A Beginners Guide to Understand Machine Learning

What is Machine Learning?

Machine learning is a branch of artificial intelligence that involves a computer and its calculations. In machine learning, the computer system is given raw data, and the computer makes calculations based on it. The difference between traditional systems of computers and machine learning is that with traditional systems, a developer has not incorporated high-level codes that would make distinctions between things. Therefore, it cannot make perfect or refined calculations. But in a machine learning model, it is a highly refined system incorporated with high-level data to make extreme calculations to the level that matches human intelligence, so it is capable of making extraordinary predictions. It can be divided broadly into two specific categories: supervised and unsupervised. There is also another category of artificial intelligence called semi-supervised.

Supervised ML

With this type, a computer is taught what to do and how to do it with the help of examples. Here, a computer is given a large amount of labeled and structured data. One drawback of this system is that a computer demands a high amount of data to become an expert in a particular task. The data that serves as the input goes into the system through the various algorithms. Once the procedure of exposing the computer systems to this data and mastering a particular task is complete, you can give new data for a new and refined response. The different types of algorithms used in this kind of machine learning include logistic regression, K-nearest neighbors, polynomial regression, naive bayes, random forest, etc.

Unsupervised ML

With this type, the data used as input is not labeled or structured. This means that no one has looked at the data before. This also means that the input can never be guided to the algorithm. The data is only fed to the machine learning system and used to train the model. It tries to find a particular pattern and give a response that is desired. The only difference is that the work is done by a machine and not by a human being. Some of the algorithms used in this unsupervised machine learning are singular value decomposition, hierarchical clustering, partial least squares, principal component analysis, fuzzy means, etc.

Reinforcement Learning

Reinforcement ML is very similar to traditional systems. Here, the machine uses the algorithm to find data through a method called trial and error. After that, the system itself decides which method will bear most effective with the most efficient results. There are mainly three components included in machine learning: the agent, the environment, and the actions. The agent is the one that is the learner or decision-maker. The environment is the atmosphere that the agent interacts with, and the actions are considered the work that an agent does. This occurs when the agent chooses the most effective method and proceeds based on that.

Source by Shalini M