Data Science For Dummies, 3rd Edition

Chapter 3

Machine Learning Means … Using a Machine to Learn from Data

IN THIS CHAPTER

Grasping the machine learning process

Exploring machine learning styles and algorithms

Overviewing algorithms, deep learning, and Apache Spark

If you’ve been watching any news for the past decade, you’ve no doubt heard of a concept called machine learning — often referenced when reporters are covering stories on the newest amazing invention from artificial intelligence. In this chapter, you dip your toes into the area called machine learning, and in Part 3 you see how machine learning and data science are used to increase business profits.

Defining Machine Learning and Its Processes

Machine learning is the practice of applying algorithmic models to data over and over again so that your computer discovers hidden patterns or trends that you can use to make predictions. It’s also called algorithmic learning. Machine learning has a vast and ever-expanding assortment of use cases, including

• Real-time Internet advertising
• Internet marketing personalization
• Internet search
• Spam filtering
• Recommendation engines
• Natural language processing and sentiment analysis
• Automatic facial recognition
• Customer churn ...