The confusion between artificial intelligence and machine learning
Thorough knowledge is required in the term artificial intelligence in order for people to understand it better. This is probably what contributes to the confusion between it and machine learning. Since they are both quite related, it is not uncommon for people to mistake one word as the other.
Artificial Intelligence
Artificial intelligence basically means “a system that seems smart” in its simplest definition. However, on its own, it still doesn’t seem to be a definition that would suffice.
Artificial intelligence is a field of computer science where computer systems are designed to mimic human intelligence. Where “artificial” and “intelligence” mean “a human-made thinking power,” they are capable of working with algorithms that work with their own intelligence. Thus, this feature does not require them to be “pre-programmed.”
Machine Learning
Machine learning is a subset of AI which programs machines to automatically learn to simulate human behavior and adapt based on the algorithms that show. The reason why artificial intelligence and machine learning are two words often related to each other is because it is sometimes not enough that a particular machine is smart. It is also just as important that these machines learn and adapt to a certain algorithm and behave accordingly.
Google search and Ads behavior
The best way to exemplify machine learning as a subset of artificial intelligence is through the behavior of google search and the advertisements that you see on social media. In case you haven’t already known, social media algorithm displays advertisements depending on your most recent and frequently searched item on the web.
This is a good example of machine learning because the algorithm seeks to display more of what you’re possibly looking for, causing machines to tailor fit your needs and “learn” from your search behavior. In every computer or mobile phone, the advertisements that show isn’t all the same since we all search about different things on the daily. This is one purpose of machine learning: to display unique actions depending on the learned human behavior.
Conclusion
The purpose of artificial intelligence is to create smart computer systems capable of solving complex problems. The purpose of machine learning is to allow these machines to learn from data, so they give an accurate output depending on the data learned. Artificial intelligence’s scope is very broad, while machine learning’s is more limited and focused. Machine learning is concerned about accuracy and patterns, while artificial intelligence is concerned about the overall scope of machine intelligence including machine learning.
Will artificial intelligence and machine learning dominate the future?
They already are dominating our daily life today! Aside from just the internet, artificial intelligence and machine learning exist in applications such as Siri, customer support, expert systems, online games, Facebook auto friend tagging, face identification, etc.
While we have been too accustomed to these applications to even begin to appreciate them being smart and learned, both artificial intelligence and machine learning will serve as a gateway to more technological advancements and breakthroughs now, and in the days to come.