We deal with a lot of data every day, but the way we deal with it is changing rapidly. Increasingly, machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) are cropping up as solutions for handling data. The two are often used interchangeably, and although there are some parallels, they’re not the same thing.
The difference between ML and AI is the difference between a still picture and a video: One is static; the other’s on the move. To get something out of machine learning, you need to know how to code or know someone who does. With artificial intelligence, you get something that takes an idea or a desire and runs with it, curiously seeking out new input and understandings. Artificial Intelligence isn’t necessarily the human-equivalent intelligence that Hollywood likes to portray, but it does exhibit something that’s arguably human: inquisitiveness. As a result, it affords flexibility, less brittleness and increased breadth of use. Let’s explore how the differences between the two play out and what that means for solving tough problems.
ML Vs. AI Is A Matter Of Aptitude
Machine learning is a step up from coding. In the words of Bill Kish of Cogniac, you’re “programming with data,” such as images and video, not code. Essentially, it’s about building models. You select a training set, choose what reflects a positive or a negative for that set, then select a type of model to use. The size and quality of your sets, along with the model type, will depend on what you’re working with and will influence the outcome you get.