Artificial intelligence and machine learning have been in the limelight recently as businesses are becoming more familiar and comfortable using them in business practices.
Although often discussed together, AI and machine learning are two different things and can have two different applications. Here’s everything you need to know about the difference between artificial intelligence and machine learning and how it relates to your business.
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Contents:
What is Artificial Intelligence?
artificial intelligence Programming computers to accomplish tasks that typically require human input. A computer system typically mimics human cognitive abilities of learning or problem solving.
What is machine learning?
Machine learning is when computers sort through data sets (such as numbers, photos, text, etc.) to learn about certain things and make predictions. The more data it has, the better and more accurate it is at identifying differences in the data.
Machine learning usually requires human input to start learning, but it is as simple as a human supplying an initial data set.
AI and machine learning are terms that are used interchangeably, but they shouldn’t be.
Difference Between Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
The main difference between artificial intelligence and machine learning is that AI is a general system with cognitive abilities, and machine learning is how the system sorts through data sets and builds intelligence and cognitive-like abilities. Machine learning is an application of artificial intelligence.
All machine learning is artificial intelligence, but not all artificial intelligence is machine learning.
AI and machine learning capabilities
There are great opportunities for businesses to take advantage of AI and machine learning; We’ll discuss some below.
1. Recommendations and Algorithms
Businesses can use AI and machine learning to create algorithms that recommend products or services to users and accurately recommend products that users will like.
A great example is the streaming service’s algorithms that suggest shows and movies based on viewing history and ratings. These recommendations get better over time as the machine has more viewing history to analyze.
2. Image Search
When a machine is fed data in the form of images, it learns key features and distinguishing features. This type of machine learning helps people use tools for visual search, and Google Lens is a great example.
Let’s say someone is out in public and sees someone wearing a shoe they like. They can’t identify a brand name, so they take a picture of the shoe using Google Lens. It scans the image for recognizable features and characteristics and searches the Internet for a match, eventually leading the searcher to the exact pair of shoes.
3. Sentiment Analysis
AI and machine learning can understand the sentiment behind statements and classify them as positive, neutral or negative.
Social listening tools are a popular marketing application of sentiment analysis, and tools typically analyze online conversations about brands and keywords to determine whether people are positive or negative about their statements.
4. Speech Recognition
Machines can also learn to detect sounds and sound patterns, analyze them, and use the data to come up with answers. For example, Shazam can process sound and play users the exact song they want, and Siri can answer a user’s spoken question.
Benefits of AI and Machine Learning
Using AI and machine learning can provide a variety of benefits for a brand to take advantage of:
- data analysis: When systems become more efficient at processing data, teams have a useful and accurate source of information that can help make business decisions.
- Efficiency and Time Management: Machine learning and AI can handle routine everyday tasks and allow teams to focus on issues that computers cannot handle.
- Quick fix: Intelligent machines can come up with solutions faster than humans. For example, a human can compile a list of reputable sources on a topic, but a Google search will do it faster.
All machine learning is AI, but not all AI is machine learning.
Artificial intelligence is a broad term, but it also includes machine learning. If your business is considering leveraging machine learning, it’s either not a question or because machine learning could not exist without AI.
Despite the distinctions, one thing is clear; Businesses benefit from artificial intelligence, and adopting the tools into your business strategy can give you a leg up against the competition.
