Data What Is Machine Learning?

Definition, Types, and Examples

What Is Machine Learning? Definition, Types,

and Examples
Written by Coursera Staff • Updated on Jan 8, 2024 Share

Machine learning is a common type of artificial intelligence. Learn more about this exciting
technology, how it works, and the major types powering the services and applications we rely
on every day.

Machine learning is a subfield of artificial intelligence that uses algorithms trained on data sets
to create models that enable machines to perform tasks that would otherwise only be possible
for humans, such as categorizing images, analyzing data, or predicting price fluctuations.

Today, machine learning is one of the most common forms of artificial intelligence and often
powers many of the digital goods and services we use every day.
In this article, you’ll learn more about what machine learning is, including how it works,
different types of it, and how it's actually used in the real world. We’ll take a look at the
benefits and dangers that machine learning poses, and in the end, you’ll find some cost-
effective, flexible courses that can help you learn even more about machine learning.

Machine learning definition

Machine learning is a subfield of artificial intelligence (AI) that uses algorithms trained on data
sets to create self-learning models that are capable of predicting outcomes and classifying
information without human intervention. Machine learning is used today for a wide range of
commercial purposes, including suggesting products to consumers based on their past
purchases, predicting stock market fluctuations, and translating text from one language to
another.

In common usage, the terms “machine learning” and “artificial intelligence” are often used
interchangeably with one another due to the prevalence of machine learning for AI purposes in
the world today. But, the two terms are meaningfully distinct. While AI refers to the general
attempt to create machines capable of human-like cognitive abilities, machine learning
specifically refers to the use of algorithms and data sets to do so.

Read more: Machine Learning vs. AI: Differences, Uses, and Benefits

Examples and use cases

Machine learning is typically the most mainstream type of AI technology in use around the
world today. Some of the most common examples of machine learning that you may have
interacted with in your day-to-day life include:

Recommendation engines that suggest products, songs, or television shows to you, such
as those found on Amazon, Spotify, or Netflix.

Speech recognition software that allows you to convert voice memos into text.

A bank’s fraud detection services automatically flag suspicious transactions.

Self-driving cars and driver assistance features, such as blind-spot detection and
automatic stopping, improve overall vehicle safety.
Read more: 9 Real-Life Machine Learning Examples

Machine Learning
Specialization

Beginner level · 3 month(s)

Skills you'll build: Logistic Regression, Artificial Neural Network, Linear Regression, Decision Trees,

Recommender Systems, Regularization to Avoid Overfitting, Logistic Regression for Classificati…

Gradient Descent,
4.9 (19,320 Supervised Learning, Tensorflow, Advice for Model Development, Xgboost, Tree
ratings)
Ensembles, Anomaly Detection, Unsupervised Learning, Reinforcement Learning, Collaborative

Filtering

How does machine learning work?

Machine learning is both simple and complex.

At its core, the method simply uses algorithms – essentially lists of rules – adjusted and refined
using past data sets to make predictions and categorizations when confronted with new data.
For example, a machine learning algorithm may be “trained” on a data set consisting of
thousands of images of flowers that are labeled with each of their different flower types so that
it can then correctly identify a flower in a new photograph based on the differentiating
characteristics it learned from other pictures.

To ensure such algorithms work effectively, however, they must typically be refined many
times until they accumulate a comprehensive list of instructions that allow them to function
correctly. Algorithms that have been trained sufficiently eventually become “machine learning
models,” which are essentially algorithms that have been trained to perform specific tasks like
sorting images, predicting housing prices, or making chess moves. In some cases, algorithms
are layered on top of each other to create complex networks that allow them to do increasingly
complex, nuanced tasks like generating text and powering chatbots via a method known as
“deep learning.”

As a result, although the general principles underlying machine learning are relatively
straightforward, the models that are produced at the end of the process can be very elaborate
and complex.
 Machine learning vs. deep learning

As you’re exploring machine learning, you’ll likely come across the term “deep
learning.” Although the two terms are interrelated, they're also distinct from
one another.
Machine learning refers to the general use of algorithms and data to create
autonomous or semi-autonomous machines. Deep learning, meanwhile, is a
subset of machine learning that layers algorithms into “neural networks” that
somewhat resemble the human brain so that machines can perform
increasingly complex tasks.
Read more: Deep Learning vs. Machine Learning: Beginner’s Guide

Types of machine learning

Several different types of machine learning power the many different digital goods and
services we use every day. While each of these different types attempts to accomplish similar
goals – to create machines and applications that can act without human oversight – the
precise methods they use differ somewhat.

To help you get a better idea of how these types differ from one another, here’s an overview of
the four different types of machine learning primarily in use today.

1. Supervised machine learning

In supervised machine learning, algorithms are trained on labeled data sets that include tags
describing each piece of data. In other words, the algorithms are fed data that includes an
“answer key” describing how the data should be interpreted. For example, an algorithm may
be fed images of flowers that include tags for each flower type so that it will be able to identify
the flower better again when fed a new photograph.

Supervised machine learning is often used to create machine learning models used for
prediction and classification purposes.
2. Unsupervised machine learning

Unsupervised machine learning uses unlabeled data sets to train algorithms. In this process,
the algorithm is fed data that doesn't include tags, which requires it to uncover patterns on its
own without any outside guidance. For instance, an algorithm may be fed a large amount of
unlabeled user data culled from a social media site in order to identify behavioral trends on
the platform.

Unsupervised machine learning is often used by researchers and data scientists to identify
patterns within large, unlabeled data sets quickly and efficiently.

3. Semi-supervised machine learning

Semi-supervised machine learning uses both unlabeled and labeled data sets to train
algorithms. Generally, during semi-supervised machine learning, algorithms are first fed a
small amount of labeled data to help direct their development and then fed much larger
quantities of unlabeled data to complete the model. For example, an algorithm may be fed a
smaller quantity of labeled speech data and then trained on a much larger set of unlabeled
speech data in order to create a machine learning model capable of speech recognition.

Semi-supervised machine learning is often employed to train algorithms for classification and
prediction purposes in the event that large volumes of labeled data is unavailable.

4. Reinforcement learning

Reinforcement learning uses trial and error to train algorithms and create models. During the
training process, algorithms operate in specific environments and then are provided with
feedback following each outcome. Much like how a child learns, the algorithm slowly begins to
acquire an understanding of its environment and begins to optimize actions to achieve
particular outcomes. For instance, an algorithm may be optimized by playing successive
games of chess, which allow it to learn from its past success and failures playing each game.

Reinforcement learning is often used to create algorithms that must effectively make
sequences of decisions or actions to achieve their aims, such as playing a game or
summarizing an entire text.

Read more: 3 Types of Machine Learning You Should Know

 Introduction to Machine Learning
Course
Intermediate level · 1 month(s)

Skills you'll build: Convolutional Neural Network, Python Programming, Machine Learning,

pytorch, Natural Language Processing

4.7 (3,414 ratings)

Machine learning benefits and risks

Machine learning is already transforming much of our world for the better. Today, the method
is used to construct models capable of identifying cancer growths in medical scans, detecting
fraudulent transactions, and even helping people learn languages. But, as with any new
society-transforming technology, there are also potential dangers to know about.

At a glance, here are some of the major benefits and potential drawbacks of machine learning:

Benefit Dangers

Job layoffs: as some jobs are automated,

Decreased operational costs: AI and machine learning may
workers in the impacted field will likely face
help businesses to automate some of its jobs, causing overall
layoffs that could force them to switch to a
operational costs to decrease.
new career or risk long-term unemployment.

Lack of human element: Models that are

Improved operational efficiency and accuracy: Machine
tasked with doing a very narrow task may
learning models are able to perform certain narrow tasks
also miss many of the “human” aspects of
with extreme efficiency and accuracy, ensuring that some
the job that are important to it but
tasks are completed to a high degree in a timely manner.
potentially overlooked by developers.

Improved insights: Machine learning has the potential to

quickly identify trends and patterns in large amounts of data Ingrained biases: Just like the humans that
that would be time consuming for humans. These insights create them, machine learning models can
can equip businesses, researchers, and society as a whole exhibit bias due to the occasionally skewed
with new knowledge that has the potential to help them data sets that they’re trained on.
Learn more with Coursera
achieve their overall goals.

AI and machine learning are quickly changing how we live and work in the world today. As a
result, whether you’re looking to pursue a career in artificial intelligence or are simply
interested in learning more about the field, you may benefit from taking a flexible, cost-
effective machine learning course on Coursera.
In DeepLearning.AI and Stanford’s Machine Learning Specialization, you’ll master fundamental
AI concepts and develop practical machine learning skills in the beginner-friendly, three-
course program by AI visionary Andrew Ng.

In IBM’s Machine Learning Professional Certificate, you’ll master the most up-to-date practical
skills and knowledge machine learning experts use in their daily roles, including how to use
supervised and unsupervised learning to build models for a wide range of real-world
purposes.

IBM Machine Learning

Professional Certificate
Intermediate level · 3 month(s)

Skills you'll build: Ensemble Learning, Linear Regression, Machine Learning, Feature Engineering,
Ridge Regression, Statistical Hypothesis Testing, Machine Learning (ML) Algorithms, Supervise…
Learning, Regression
4.6 (1,471 ratings)Analysis, Exploratory Data Analysis, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Decision Tree,
Classification Algorithms, Cluster Analysis, Dimensionality Reduction, Unsupervised Learning,
Principal Component Analysis (PCA), K Means Clustering, Artificial Neural Network, Reinforcement

Learning, Deep Learning, keras, Data Analysis, Python Programming, unsupervised machine
learning

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Updated on Jan 8, 2024 Share

Written by:
 Coursera Staff
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