When it comes to computers and robots, there are three terms that you might have heard of: deep learning, machine learning, and artificial intelligence.
They all sound pretty smart, right? But what do they actually mean?
Think of it this way: you’re trying to teach a robot to do something, like playing a game. You start by showing the robot a few simple moves, like pressing a button to make the game character jump. That’s called machine learning — the robot is learning how to do something based on the examples you give it.
But what if the game gets harder and the robot needs to learn more complex moves, like dodging obstacles or aiming at targets? That’s where deep learning comes in. With deep learning, the robot can analyze a lot of data and figure out patterns on its own, without you having to explicitly teach it every single move. It’s like the robot is learning how to learn.
Finally, we have artificial intelligence, which is the big picture. It’s like the brain that ties everything together. AI encompasses machine learning and deep learning, but it also includes other things like reasoning, problem solving, and decision making. It’s the ultimate goal of creating machines that can think and act like humans.
So, to sum up: machine learning is like a baby step, deep learning is like a giant leap, and artificial intelligence is the destination.
- Zach Crain — 2023, May.