How Does AI and Machine Learning Work?

Is AI and Machine Learning the Same Thing?    

Theoretically,  machine learning  is an AI subfield, i.e., it is one of the many ways of implementing AI. Ideally, AI is the broader concept of machine learning, i.e., machines can carry out tasks in an intelligent manner. Machine learning technology is a modern application of AI-based ideas that implies allowing devices to access data and learn by themselves.  So, machine learning allows computer systems to predict or decide using historical data. These systems use vast amounts of structured and semi-structured data to create models and give predictions or spawn accurate results based on that data. However, in practice, AI and machine learning are used interchangeably to mean supervised learning. When you raise the topic of Big Data or analytics, both these topics will come up more frequently.    

There needs to be more clarity between the two terms. But, mainly, that depends on the usage. Many people think AI is a more fancy word than machine learning; thus, it is used more often. For instance, in media and marketing, AI is commonly used and covers many areas, including Expert Systems, Machine Learning, Process Automation, Deep Learning, and Reinforcement Learning.  AI systems don't require preprogramming; instead, they employ algorithms that use their intelligence – for instance, deep learning neural networks and reinforcement learning algorithms.     

All devices designed to work intelligently are usually put into two primary groups – general and applied. Applied AI is the most common of the two, as you will find it in several applications, such as autonomous vehicles and smart devices that trade shares and stocks.  By contrast, generalized AI is a system that can theoretically handle any task. These categories of smart devices are less common, but they come with admirable advancements. Precisely, it is an area that gave rise to machine learning.     

How Does Machine Learning Actually Work?   

By now, you know that machine learning is an AI type that teaches computers to reason just like humans. The concept is that this technology explores data to identify patterns that it can be based upon with minimal human intervention. So, machine learning is an application that automatically learns and improves without programming.     

Learning by machines, systems, or devices occurs due to analyzing the ever-increasing amounts of data. While the principal algorithms do not change, the internal weight and biases of the code are used to select specific answers to change. Machine learning can, therefore, automate any task that requires a data-defined pattern or a set of rules. Companies can transform and handle processes that were previously only done by humans. The main techniques in machine learning:    

Supervised learning    

This form of learning lets you output data or collect data from previous machine learning deployments. This form of ML is pretty much how humans learn, making it an exciting option. Here, you present the computer with labeled data points known as training sets – for instance, it can be a set of readouts from a system training makers and terminals with delays for the past three months.     

Examples of supervised ML are:     

• Support Vector Machines (SVMs)  
• Linear or Logistic regression  
• K-Nearest Neighbours (KNN)  
• Naïve Bayes  

Regression problems target numeric values, while classification problems target qualitative variables, e.g., tag or class. Regression tasks are vital for functions such as the average price of commodities in a particular area, while classification can distinguish different products based on their structures. For instance, it can distinguish flowers based on petal and sepal measures.     

Unsupervised machine learning    

This form of ML lets you find the different types of unknown patterns within data. Here, the algorithms learn some inherent structure data with only unlabeled examples. The two everyday tasks are clustering and dimensionality reduction.    

• Clustering: here, data scientists attempt to group data points into meaningful clusters/groups – similar elements placed together. Clustering has its applications in areas like market segmentation, i.e., where differentiation is needed.   
• Dimension reduction: in this model, the number of variables in a dataset is reduced through grouping correlated or similar attributes for better interpretation and more effective model training.   

Semi-supervised machine learning    

This type of ML also looks for data patterns but relies on labeled and unlabeled data to perform tasks faster than strictly unlabeled data.     

Self-supervised learning: this ML uses context and does not require labels to perform its tasks. So, if you supply it with labels, it will be ignored.     

How Does Artificial Intelligence Work?    

When machines demonstrate intelligence, that is called artificial intelligence. This is something popular today as it is gaining front-page headlines worldwide. Ideally, AI is the simulation of human intelligence in machines programmed to learn and imitate human actions. The devices can learn from human experiences and, thus, perform human-like tasks. Today, humans create lots of different intelligent entities that can perform tasks intelligently without instructions. That means they can think and act humanly and rationally.     

So, how does AI work?  AI systems are a long process of conferring human capabilities and traits to a machine. This reverse-engineering process allows the devices to employ their computational prowess to surpass human capabilities. You can only understand how AI works if you understand the various subdomains:    

• Machine learning: teaching a machine to make a conclusion based on previous data and past experiences. It identifies and analyses data and identifies patterns to infer meanings without human involvement.    
• Neural networks: these are a series of algorithms capturing relationships between various variables. These interconnected units process data by responding to external inputs and relaying information between each unit.   
• Deep learning: This ML technique teaches machines to process inputs via layers to classify, infer, and predict results. It utilizes a vast neural network with multiple layers of processing units.   
• Computer vision: This technique recognizes images by breaking them down into smaller components to respond accordingly.   
• Natural language processing (NLP): This technique allows computers to read, understand, and analyze a language.   
• Cognitive Computing: This technique features algorithms that imitate the human brain by analyzing text/images/speech similarly to humans to give the desired output.   

The three types of AI are:    

1. Artificial Narrow Intelligence (ANI): designed to solve one problem only – they have limited capabilities, e.g., predicting weather.   
2. Artificial General Intelligence (AGI): this is still a theoretical concept – its AI is designed to have human-level cognitive functions, e.g., reasoning, language processing, and computational functioning   
3. Artificial Super Intelligence (ASI): This is just theoretical for now. It would be able to perform better than humans in terms of decision-making and also build in with emotional relationships.   

Artificial intelligence needs supporting technologies to work effectively—for instance, GPUs, the Internet of Things (IoT), and Intelligent data processing. It's worth noting that the significant purpose of AI is to aid human capabilities and aid in making advanced decisions. This will help humans live a more meaningful life and help manage complex processes.     

Applications of Artificial Intelligence    

Artificial intelligence is gaining worldwide popularity. Typically, it is being used in various fields to make multiple processes easy. Also, AI is evolving to offer better services in almost all business sectors. Its primary applications are:    

E-Commerce    

AI is extensively used in different sectors of eCommerce. For example, in personalized shopping, AI technology plays a huge part in recommendation engines to help engage better with customers. The engagements are based on customer preference and history. Many businesses are using AI-powered assistants. These virtual shopping assistants boost user experience while shopping online. The use of  Natural Language Processing  makes conversations sound as human and personal as possible. It's a good thing; the engagements are in real-time.     

Ecommerce stores are also aften prone to fake reviews and credit card fraud. AI uses patterns, which reduces the chances of credit card fraud. Many banks are adopting AI-based solutions and systems to offer customers efficient support and detect credit card fraud and any anomalies. The common application used in banks is the  EVA       (Electronic Virtual Assistant)  , which addresses customer queries.    

Navigation    

AI can make navigation much easier. MIT research shows that GPS technology provides users with accurate, detailed, and timely information for safety improvement. The technology combines Graph Neural Network and Convolutional Neural Network, which automatically detects the number of lanes and road types behind road obstructions. Many logistics companies and Uber use it to improve operational efficiency, optimize routes, and analyze traffic.    

Human Resources    

Intelligent software is primarily used in the hiring process also known as blind hiring. The machine learning software can help to analyze applications based on set parameters. These systems can scan the candidate's profiles and resumes/CVs to offer recruiters insights into the talent pool to select from.     

Healthcare    

AI is extensively used in the healthcare sector, where it builds sophisticated equipment to identify cancer cells and detect other diseases. Artificial intelligence systems can help to analyze chronic conditions using lab and other medical data for better and early diagnosis. It  also uses historical data alongside medical intelligence to discover new drugs.     

Gaming    

With AI, it is possible to create intelligent human-like  non-player characters (NPCs)  with the players. Besides, AI is extensively used in the gaming industry to predict human behavior while playing a game. This information is later used to improve the game design. For instance, the 2014 release of Alien Isolation games uses AI to stalk the player throughout the game.    

Types of Artificial Intelligence    

The four major types of artificial intelligence technology are:    

Reactive machines    

This is the most basic type and, thus, can only perform minimal operations. These systems do learn; therefore, they cannot form memories from past experiences. The primary example is  Deep Blue  , IBM's chess-playing supercomputer. This AI system can identify chess pieces on the board, know each move, and predict movements that the opponent can make. Beyond that, there is no concept.      

Limited memory    

This category of AI can store and use previous data to predict future events. The  machines  have a slightly more complex architecture. A typical application using limited memory AI is the self-driving car. The applications within the car observe the direction and speed of other cars. However, these cannot be done momentarily, instead it requires identifying specific objects and monitoring them over time. The observations are then added to the self-driving cars' preprogrammed representations of the world.     

The ML models here are:    

• Reinforcement learning: learns from cycles of trials and error   
• Long short-term memory (LSTM) uses past data to predict the next item in a sequence, where it tags the most recent information piece.   
• Evolutionary generative adversarial networks (E-GAN) have memory and evolve at each stage.  

Theory of mind    

Theory of mind is a technique of the future. Currently, it is only in the infant stages, where it is applied mainly in self-driving cars. The technique aims to develop systems that have thoughts and emotions just like humans. While all existing ML models do a lot to achieve the task at hand, the relationship is mostly one-way. For instance, AI Siri,  Google Maps  , and Alexa respond to every command, which is one way. If you shout at Google Maps to change directions, it won't offer advice or emotional support. There is research underway to enhance decision-making, as this is deemed the future of AI and ML.     

Building AI machines that can represent themselves is at the highest level. Currently, this technology only exists in stories and movies, injecting immense fear and hope in people. A self-aware AI system has intelligence beyond humans. Most likely, humans will have to negotiate with the systems they create to reach a consensus when issues arise. The creation of self-awareness machines may be a implausible idea. Nonetheless, the basic thing people need to understand is how memory, learning, and the ability to decide based on past experiences work. This will help us understand human intelligence better.  

What Is Artificial Intelligence in Computers?    

Artificial intelligence is a vast field in computer science that utilizes many computing technologies and techniques alongside various programming languages. The fundamental purpose of AI is to design and launch systems that behave and work like humans, thanks to a mixture of algorithms. In computing, there are some things to keep in mind while defining Artificial intelligence:    

• Systems act like humans: this category of computer systems performs tasks that otherwise humans would perform. They are efficient even without human intervention.   
• Systems that reason rationally: these computer systems attempt to mimic the rational, logical reasoning of humans. Precisely, the systems try to locate means by which machines can understand the query at hand and act accordingly.   
• Computer systems that act rationally: these systems try to imitate human conduct rationally   
• Systems that act like humans: these systems automate processes, making all other methods very easy.   

An AI system will act and think like humans. However, that only occurs in some artificial intelligence systems, as they are created differently. Some systems have a low level of intelligence, while others have a higher intelligence level. The perspectives concerning Artificial Intelligence vary among different computer engineers and scientists. The reason for the differences is the enormous number of techniques and strategies used.     

Low artificial intelligence in computer science    

Here, computers are able to simulate different scenarios in ways that they'll be deemed to be reasoning as well as acting intelligently. This may seem a farfetched idea as self-awareness computers may only exist for a while.     

Strong Artificial Intelligence in Computer Science  

Here, a computer has some intellectual states and thoughts. Thus, someday, it will construct something with human thinking skills.     

What Is Artificial Intelligence With Examples?    

AI is a computer science branch that emphasizes the development of intelligent machines that think and work like humans such as speech recognition.  According to Narrative Science, 32% of executives acknowledge that voice recognition is the most used AI technology in business. AI is a popular technology today because almost every sector employs systems to make operations efficient and accurate. That makes AI the present and not the future. Some common AI examples are:    

Siri

Siri is a product of Apple. This female voice-activated assistant can be found on both iPhones and iPads. It is very friendly and interacts with users daily in various tasks, including finding information, making voice calls, sending messages, getting directions, etc. Siri uses ML technology to get smarter and understand natural language questions and requests.     

Tesla    

Are you a car geek? You should know Tesla. Tesla vehicles have a massive array of features, including predictive capabilities and self-driving potential. Thanks to regular updates, this car is getting better by the day.     

Netflix    

This popular content-on-demand service employs predictive technology to offer recommendations using a customer's reaction, choices, interests, and behavior. It looks at records and recommends movies. Like other ML technologies, it gets smarter every day.    

Cogito    

This AI tool combines machine learning and behavioral science to offer the best customer collaboration for phone professionals. The tool works on millions of voice calls taking place daily, where it analyzes human voices to provide real-time guidance to enhance performance and behavior.     

Echo    

If you want to search web information, shop, schedule appointments, and control switches, lights, thermostats, etc., Echo is a revolutionary tool to use. This Amazon product continually gets new features to improve performance. You'll find these AI technologies on social media, e.g., Snapchat, where they use face detection technology. Also, devices such as iPhones use FaceID to unlock them. These technologies use a machine-learning algorithm to detect facial features to determine whether or not to open a phone or an application.   

Text Editor   

To offer the best writing experience, most text editors have turned to artificial intelligence. Most text editors use NLP algorithms to identify grammar mistakes and suggest corrections. Beyond auto-correction advanced text, editors offer plagiarism and readability stats. Other text editors, e.g., INK, use artificial intelligence to provide intelligent web content optimization and recommendations.    

History of Artificial Intelligence  

The term AI was fabricated in 1956 at Dartmouth College, thanks to cognitive scientist  Marvin Minsky.  However, the idea that machines can think logically existed years before.     

1940-1960 – This period marked the birth of cybernetics and an increased desire to know how machines can be given the capability to think like humans.  Norbert Wiener  , the founder of cybernetics, aimed to bring together mathematical theory, electronics, and automation in animals and machines.    

In 1950,  John Von Neumann  and  Alan Turing  founded the technology behind AI, though they did not use the term AI. Typically, they invented 19th-century decimal logic, dealing with values 0 to 9, and binary logic, relying on Boolean algebra. Thus, they formalized the contemporary architecture of computers, demonstrating that it was a universal machine that could execute programs.     

Turing proposed that machines could be intelligent in his 1950 article "Computing Machinery and Intelligence." AI is attributed to  John McCarthy  of MIT. In the 1960s, the popularity of AI fell despite being a fascinating technology. The machines needed more memory; thus, it was hard to use computer languages.  The popularization of AI was perhaps done by the 1968 film "2001 Space Odyssey". The  computer HAL 9000  summarizes all the ethical questions that AI poses: will it represent high-level sophistication? Is it good for humanity or a danger?     

Towards the end of 1970, these first microprocessors ushered AI into the golden age of expert systems. The expert systems were based on the inference engine, programmed to the logical mirror of human reasoning. Ideally, the engine could provide high-level answers when queries were entered.     

There was massive development during this period, but it lasted up to 1980 and again in early 1990. Programming is so demanding, especially the creation of rules. The reasoning of the machines needed to be better understood. In some applications, they could work faster but very slowly in others. The system needed about 300 rules to function. This made it pretty hard to develop and maintain. In the 1990s, AI was almost forgotten. However, there was a success in 1997 when Deep Blue defeated  Garry Kasparov  in a chess game. Deep Blue was built on a systematic brute force algorithm. This action remained very symbolic. Today, there are thousands of AI solutions in mostly all sectors.      

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