What Is Machine Learning?

Machine learning (ML) is a method of data analysis—and a type of artificial intelligence—that automates analytical model building, based on the idea that systems can learn from data, identify patterns, and make decisions with little human intervention. With ML, users input large amounts of data into an algorithm, which enables the computer to make recommendations and decisions based on that data. ML features are found in smartphones and smart devices in the form of , including features like predictive text, speech recognition, computational photography, and so on. ML gives smart devices the ability to become more and more intuitive and proactive. Because ML relies on massive amounts of data, it is most often associated with intelligent devices within the Internet of Things (IoT).