Machine learning describes systems that make predictions using a model trained on real-world data. For example, let’s say we want to build a system that can identify if a cat is in a picture. We first assemble many pictures to train our machine learning model. During this training phase, we feed pictures into the model, along with information around whether they contain a cat. While training, the model learns patterns in the images that are the most closely associated with cats. This model can then use the patterns learned during training to predict whether the new images that it’s fed contain a cat. In this particular example, we might use a neural network to learn these patterns, but machine learning can be much simpler than that. Even fitting a line to a set of observed data points, and using that line to make new predictions, counts as a machine learning model.

Learn more about what Machine Learning is used for

Machine learning is being applied to virtually every field today. That includes medical diagnoses, facial recognition, weather forecasts, image processing, and more. In any situation in which pattern recognition, prediction, and analysis are critical, machine learning can be of use. Machine learning is often a disruptive technology when applied to new industries and niches. Machine learning engineers can find new ways to apply machine learning technology to optimize and automate existing processes. With the right data, you can use machine learning technology to identify extremely complex patterns and yield highly accurate predictions.

Learn more about what Machine Learning is used for

It’s possible to use machine learning without coding, but building new systems generally requires code. For example, Amazon’s Rekognition service allows you to upload an image via a web browser, which then identifies objects in the image. This uses a pre-trained model, with no coding required. However, developing machine learning systems involves writing some Python code to train, tune, and deploy your models. It’s hard to avoid writing code to pre-process the data feeding into your model. Most of the work done by a machine learning practitioner involves cleaning the data used to train the machine. They also perform “feature engineering” to find what data to use and how to prepare it for use in a machine learning model. Tools like AutoML and SageMaker automate the tuning of models. Often only a few lines of code can train a model and make predictions from it. An introductory understanding of Python will make you more effective in using machine learning systems.

Learn more about what Machine Learning is used for

Python is the most used language in machine learning. Engineers writing machine learning systems often use Jupyter Notebooks and Python together. Jupyter Notebooks is a web application that allows experimentation by creating and sharing documents that contain live code, equations, and more. Machine learning involves trial and error to see which hyperparameters and feature engineering choices work best. It’s useful to have a development environment such as Python so that you don’t need to compile and package code before running it each time. Python is not the only language choice for machine learning. Tensorflow is a popular framework for developing neural networks and offers a C++ API. There is a machine learning framework for C# called ML.NET. Scala or Java are sometimes used with Apache Spark to build machine learning systems that ingest massive data sets. You may find yourself using many different languages in machine learning, but Python is a good place to start.

Learn more about what Machine Learning is used for