What is machine learning?

Machine learning (ML) is a type of artificial intelligence (AI) that allows software
applications to become more accurate at predicting outcomes without being explicitly
programmed to do so. Machine learning algorithms use historical data as input to predict new
output values.

Recommendation engines are a common use case for machine learning. Other popular uses
include fraud detection, spam filtering, malware threat detection, business process
automation (BPA) and predictive maintenance.

Why is machine learning important?

Machine learning is important because it gives enterprises a view of trends in customer
behavior and business operational patterns, as well as supports the development of new
products. Many of today's leading companies, such as Facebook, Google and Uber, make
machine learning a central part of their operations. Machine learning has become a significant
competitive differentiator for many companies.

What are the different types of machine learning?

Classical machine learning is often categorized by how an algorithm learns to become more
accurate in its predictions. There are four basic approaches:

supervised learning, 

unsupervised learning,

semi-supervised learning and

reinforcement learning.

The type of algorithm data scientists choose to use depends on what type of data they want to
predict.

 Supervised learning: In this type of machine learning, data scientists supply algorithms

with labeled training data and define the variables they want the algorithm to assess for
correlations. Both the input and the output of the algorithm is specified.
 Unsupervised learning: This type of machine learning involves algorithms that train on
unlabeled data. The algorithm scans through data sets looking for any meaningful
connection. The data that algorithms train on as well as the predictions or
recommendations they output are predetermined.

 Semi-supervised learning: This approach to machine learning involves a mix of the two

preceding types. Data scientists may feed an algorithm mostly labeled training data, but the
model is free to explore the data on its own and develop its own understanding of the data
set.

 Reinforcement learning: Data scientists typically use reinforcement learning to teach a

machine to complete a multi-step process for which there are clearly defined rules. Data
scientists program an algorithm to complete a task and give it positive or negative cues as
it works out how to complete a task. But for the most part, the algorithm decides on its own
what steps to take along the way.
How does supervised machine learning work?
Supervised machine learning requires the data scientist to train the algorithm with both
labeled inputs and desired outputs. Supervised learning algorithms are good for the following
tasks:

 Binary classification: Dividing data into two categories.

 Multi-class classification: Choosing between more than two types of answers.

 Regression modeling: Predicting continuous values.

 Ensembling: Combining the predictions of multiple machine learning models to produce

an accurate prediction.
How does unsupervised machine learning work?
Unsupervised machine learning algorithms do not require data to be labeled. They sift
through unlabeled data to look for patterns that can be used to group data points into subsets.
Most types of deep learning, including neural networks, are unsupervised
algorithms. Unsupervised learning algorithms are good for the following tasks:

 Clustering: Splitting the dataset into groups based on similarity.

 Anomaly detection: Identifying unusual data points in a data set.

 Association mining: Identifying sets of items in a data set that frequently occur together.
 Dimensionality reduction: Reducing the number of variables in a data set.

Machine learning is a branch of artificial intelligence (AI) and computer science which
focuses on the use of data and algorithms to imitate the way that humans learn, gradually
improving its accuracy.
The interest in Machine Learning for use in the various domains is expanding as the available
amount of data increases with time. achine learning proposes an abundance of techniques to
extricate knowledge from data that can be rendered into purposeful objectives.
 
ML algorithms can reinforce the field information and automated function mostly related to
regulation and optimization. Moreover, machine learning along with computer vision has
augmented many domains where medical diagnostic, statistical data analysis and algorithms,
scientific research, etc included. Such practices have already been done in the arena of
smartphone applications, computer appliances, online websites, cybersecurity, etc.   
 
The extended data today is prevailing over multiple disciplines, obtaining interferences and
valuable knowledge from data has appeared as the latest model of scientific inquiry as well as
commercial application. In this blog, we will pick up some applications of machine learning
implemented in our daily practices.
 
 
Machine Learning Applications in Daily Life
 
1. Commute Estimation
 
In general, a single trip takes more than average time to complete, multiple modes of
transportation are used for a trip including traffic timing to reach the destination. Reducing
commute time is not simple yet, here below you find how machine learning is aiding in
reducing commute time,
 
1. Google’s Map: Using the location data from smartphones, Google Maps can inspect
the agility of shifting traffic at any time, moreover map can organize user-reported
traffic like construction, traffic, and accidents. By accessing relevant data and
appropriate fed algorithms, Google Maps can reduce commuting time by indicating
the fastest route.
 
2. Riding Apps: From how to fix the price of the ride, and how to minimize the waiting
time to how do riding cars fix up one’s trip with other passengers to lessen diversion.
Yes, the solution is machine learning.  ML assists the company to estimate the price
of a ride, computing optimal pickup location and ensuring the shortest route of the
trip, also for fraud detection. For example, Uber uses machine learning to optimizes
its services.
 
3. Commercial flights to use Autopilot:  With the help of AI technology, Autopilots
are taken care of Flights now. In a report of The NewYork Times, pilots reported
 doing manual flying of seven minutes, mainly during takeoff and landing, and the rest
fly is done by autopilot.   
 
(Also check: How Spotify Uses Machine Learning Models?)
 
2. Email Intelligence
 
1. Spam Filters: Some rules-based filters aren’t served actively in an email inbox such
as when, for example, a message comes with the words “online consultancy”, “ online
pharmacy”, or from “unknown address”. 
 
ML is offering a powerful feature that filters email from a variety of signals, like words
in the message, metadata of the message(such as who sent the message, from where it is
sent). Even though it filters the emails based on “everyday deals” or “welcome messages”
etc. With the use of ML, Gmail filters 99.9% of spam messages. 
 
2. Email Classification: Gmail categories emails into groups Primary, Promotions,
Social, and Update and label the email as important.
 
3. Smart Replies: You must have observed how Gmail prompts simple phrases to
respond to emails like “Thank You”, “Alright”, “Yes, I’m interested”. These
responses are customized per email when ML and AI understand, estimate, and reflect
on how one counters over time.  
 
3. Banking and Personal Finance
 
1. Fraud Prevention: In most of the cases, daily based transaction data is so high in
volume and becomes complex for humans to review manually each transaction, then
how to find out if a transaction is fraudulent.
 
To tackle this problem, AI-based systems are designed that learn what type of
transactions are fraudulent. This is how banks use AI.
 
Companies are using neural networks to determine fraudulent transactions depending
upon factors like the latest frequency of transactions, transaction size and type of retailer
included.  
 
2. Credit Decisions: When applying for credit cards or loans, the financial bodies have
to determine quickly whether to admit or not. And, if accepting the proposal what
could be the specific conditions to offer in terms of interest rate, credit line amount,
etc.
 
Financial institutions deploy ML algorithms to make credit decisions and determine the
particular risk assessment for users separately. 
 
 (Related blog: Introduction to Financial Analysis)
 
3. Check Deposit on Mobile: Moreover, AI technology has done mobile banking
personalized and handy for those who have no time to visit banks. For example, banks
offer the opportunity to submit checks through the smartphone app and dismiss the
need of users to physically deliver a check to the bank.
 
Most of the banks use the technology developed by Mitek to interpret and transform
handwriting on checks into text through optical character recognition. 
 

Applications of Machine Learning in Daily Life

4. Evaluation and Assessment

 
1. In checking Plagiarism: ML can be used to build a plagiarism detector.  Many
schools and universities demand plagiarism checkers analyze the writing skills of
students.
 
The algorithmic essence of plagiarism is the similarity functions that result in the
numerical estimation of how identical two documents are. 
 
2. Robo-readers: Prior, essay grading is a very complex task, but now researchers and
organizations are building essay-grading AI systems. The GRE exam grades essays
through one human reader and one Robo-reader, known as e-Rater.
 
If the grade varies considerably, a second human reader is considered to settle the
difference. (You may go to the article to know how Robo-readers functions).
  
Near in the future, one-size-fits classes are replaced by personalized and flexible learning that
will shape each students’ strengths and weaknesses individually.
 
ML also assists in identifying students at-risk earlier so that schools can pay attention to those
students by providing them with extra resources of learning and reduces dropout rates.
 
For example, AI in the education sector helps in for personalized learning, voice assistants,
aiding educators in administrative tasks and many more.
 
5. Social Networking 
 
1. Facebook: While uploading a photo on Facebook, it automatically reflects faces and
suggests friends tag. Facebook uses AI and ML to identify faces. Moreover;
 

 It uses the ANN algorithm that imitates the human brain and power facial recognition
software.
 Facebook uses AI to personalize newsfeed and makes sure to reflect posts that entertain
one.
 It shows ads of a particular business that are relevant to one's' interest.  

   
2. Pinterest: It employs computer vision to automatically recognize objects in the
images or “pin” and then recommend similar pins. Other applications cover pam
prevention, search, and discovery, email marketing, ad performance, etc with the help
of machine learning. 
 
3. Snapchat: It offers facial filters (known as Lenses) that filter and track facial activity,
permits users to tag animated images or digital masks that shift when their faces
move.    
 
4. Instagram: With the help of ML algorithms, sentiments behind the emojis can be
identified. Instagram can make and auto-recommend emojis and emojis hashtags.
There is the massive use of emoji across all demographics that are used to describe
and explore by Instagram at a massive scale through emoji-to-text-translation.
 
(Referred blog: Instagram Uses AI and Big Data) 
 
6. Medical Diagnosis and Healthcare
 
Machine Learning incorporates a soup of techniques and tools to deal with the diagnostic and
prognostic issues in the diverse medical realms.  ML algorithms are highly used for;
 

 The analysis of medical data for detecting regularities in data,

 Handling inappropriate data,
 Explaining data generated by medical units,
 Also for effective monitoring of patients.

 
(Must check: Healthcare data analytics)
 
Machine learning also helps in estimating disease breakthroughs, driving medical information
for outcomes research, planning and assisting therapy, and entire patient management. Along
with machine learning, AI in healthcare is also implemented for efficient monitoring. 
 
7. Personal Smart Assistants
 
From Siri and Cortana to Google Assistant, there are plenty of functions when it comes to the
personal assistant along with Amazon Alexa and Google Home.
 
By implementing the AI to its entirety, these home devices, and personal assistants follow
one’s commands including setting a reminder, searching online information, controlling
lights, etc. 
 
These devices and personal assistants, such as ML chatbots rely on Ml algorithms to collect
information, understand one’s preferences, and improve the experience based on prior
interactions with individuals.
 
 
Conclusion
 
It remains not worth amazing how machine learning and artificial intelligence have changed
our life by making it easier, also with some of AI and ML trends we are expecting more
growth in technologies. We have screened various applications here, the machine learning is
used back in the arena to impact our daily lives, it also allows us to take business decisions,
optimize operations and augment productivity for industries to stand out in the market.