A subset of [artificial intelligence AI, machine learning (ML) is the area of computational science that focuses on analyzing and interpreting patterns and structures in data to enable learning, reasoning, and decision making outside of human interaction. Simply put, machine learning allows the user to feed a computer algorithm an immense amount of data and have the computer analyze and make data-driven recommendations and decisions based on only the input data. If any corrections are identified, the algorithm can incorporate that information to improve its future decision making.
Machine learning is made up of three parts:
- The computational algorithm at the core of making determinations.
- Variables and features that make up the decision.
- Base knowledge for which the answer is known that enables (trains) the system to learn.
Initially, the model is fed parameter data for which the answer is known. The algorithm is then run, and adjustments are made until the algorithm’s output (learning) agrees with the known answer. At this point, increasing amounts of data are input to help the system learn and process higher computational decisions.