machine learning" redirects here. For statistical learning in linguistics, see
statistical learning in language acquisition.
Machine learning (
ML) is the
scientific study of
algorithms and
statistical modelsthat
computer systems use in order to perform a specific task effectively without using explicit instructions, relying on patterns and inference instead. It is seen as a subset of
artificial intelligence. Machine learning algorithms build a
mathematical model based on sample data, known as "
training data", in order to make predictions or decisions without being explicitly programmed to perform the task.
[1][2]:2 Machine learning algorithms are used in a wide variety of applications, such as
email filtering, and
computer vision, where it is infeasible to develop an algorithm of specific instructions for performing the task. Machine learning is closely related to
computational statistics, which focuses on making predictions using computers. The study of
mathematical optimization delivers methods, theory and application domains to the field of machine learning.
Data mining is a field of study within machine learning, and focuses on
exploratory data analysis through
unsupervised learning.
[3][4] In its application across business problems, machine learning is also referred to as
predictive analytics.
