Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning are two revolutionary advancements in technology. However, many a time, people get confused between the two. Both may have the same concept called an algorithm at the core, but in reality, they are pretty different in nature.
But why do people relate machine learning with artificial intelligence?
Machine learning is a subset of Artificial Intelligence, which consists of techniques that can deliver AI applications. They are interrelated, and that’s the reason why many a time people use them interchangeably.
Before we jump into the comparison between AI vs ML, let’s define both the terms to understand the differences better.
What is Artificial Intelligence (AI)?
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the capability of a machine to learn from their experiences and do things better. It learns by acquiring knowledge and learning how to apply it.
The term Artificial Intelligence was first coined in the year 1956, by John McCarthy. He defined it as “the ability to learn without being explicitly programmed.”
However, AI has become more popular than ever now.
AI can be divided into two groups – Applied and General.
- Applied AI refers to a smart system that addresses a specific need like personalizing an ad or trading stocks.
- Whereas, General AI includes systems or devices that can do all the tasks of a human.
What is Machine Learning (ML)?
Machine Learning is a subset of Artificial Intelligence which allows the machines to learn and make predictions based on their experiences or data. In simple words, it is a method of training computers do intelligent tasks by feeding a lot of data.
Arthur Samuel has first coined the term Machine Learning in the year 1959. ML can be broadly divided into three groups; namely Supervised Learning, Unsupervised Learning and Reinforcement Learning.
- In Supervised Learning, the system is trained using past data to take decisions or make predictions, when new data is encountered.
- Unsupervised Learning enables the system to recognize patterns, similarities, and anomalies from the input data.
- Whereas, in the case of Reinforcement Learning, the system makes decisions based on the reward/ punishment it received for the last action it performed.
Artificial Intelligence vs Machine Learning (AI vs ML)
| Artificial Intelligence | Machine Learning |
| Artificial intelligence or AI is defined as the ability of the computers to acquire some knowledge and apply that intelligently in new situations. | Machine Learning or ML is defined as the acquisition of knowledge by the computers and uses the experience in an identical way. |
| AI aims to achieve intelligence. | ML aims to achieve knowledge. |
| AI is the ability of a computer program to do a specified task smartly. | ML is a simple concept where the machine learns from the fed data. |
| Artificial Intelligence allows decision making. | Machine Learning allows the system to learn things from data. |
| AI applications increase the chance of success and care less about accuracy. | ML applications increase accuracy, but it does not always ensure success. |
| It simulates natural intelligence to solve complex problems that intelligent humans can do. | It maximizes the performance of the machine on a specific task by learning from previous data. |
| Artificial Intelligence leads to finding the optimal solution. | Machine Learning leads to finding a solution, whether optimal or not. |
| AI aims to develop a system that can think and act like a human. | ML aims to create self-learning algorithms. |
From the above comparison table, it is evident that All Machine Learning is Artificial Intelligence, but all Artificial Intelligence isn’t Machine Learning.
How are AI and ML Integrated in Our Daily Lives?
Believe it or not, AI and Machine Learning have become critical parts of our lives today. Whether it is a Virtual Personal Assistant like Siri or Alexa or a cab booking app like Uber, we are using these technologies on a day in and day out basis.
Social media is the biggest example where these technologies are used extensively. From personalizing your news feed to auto-tagging, from suggesting new friends to ad targeting, you can see the usage of AI and ML everywhere in your social profile.
Many industries are using AI and Machine Learning technologies to decrease human efforts and achieve optimum results in a faster and cost-effective way. Among all, the retail sector is befitted the most by utilizing Machine Learning applications.
Earlier it was very challenging to understand what the customer is looking for and to find the most relevant product for that. However, with Machine Learning, recommendation systems can now analyze viewing habits and show the most relevant products or services as per the buyer’s taste.
AI and Machine Learning play big roles in data security too and ensure information security for businesses from all external threats.
Future of AI and ML
Machine Learning and AI have revolutionized many industries like retail, transport, and healthcare, and have taken them to newer heights. Technologies like digital assistants, self-driving vehicles and image recognition are some of the most vital inventions which have transformed the way we interact with our surroundings.
The AI-powered applications are most of the time consumer targeted. So, over the next few years, we can expect the users to have total dependence on AI and ML technologies. According to Gartner, AI will become one of the top five investment priorities for at least 30 percent of Chief Information Officers (CIOs) by 2020.
AI is capable of solving harder problems better than even the most intelligent humans can do. However, it may take some significant time for the machines to have human-like brains and be able to perform any task better than a human.
Conclusion
From this AI vs ML comparison, we can conclude that Machine Learning is the ability of computers to look for the pattern and apply the knowledge it learned in similar situations. Whereas, Artificial Intelligence is the ability of computers to acquire knowledge and apply that to new and different situations.
Both Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning have important business applications. However, Machine Learning has broader utilizations for solving business problems in mission-critical situations. On the other hand, AI technology is utilized in situations where the system needs to solve a problem by behaving the way humans do.
