AI: Deep Learning vs Machine Learning

In the previous article Supervised and Unsupervised learning in machine learning, we explains the meaning of machine learning. As AI is making waves across industries, we often hear the terms "deep learning" and "machine learning" getting thrown around interchangeably. While both are crucial for AI advancements, they are indeed two different subjects with distinct characteristics.

Deep learning is a branch of machine learning, whose methods are based on artificial neural networks (ANNs). In other words, there are many types of Machine Learning systems, among which deep learning uses ANNs to transform complex data. This enables deep learning to achieve high accuracy in tasks like image recognition, natural language processing, and decision-making. Let's break down the key differences to understand what sets "deep learning" and "machine learning" apart.

Machine Learning: Learning from Experience

Imagine a student studying for an exam. By analyzing past tests and practice problems (data), they identify patterns and learn how to solve similar problems (building a model). This is the essence of machine learning (ML).

Here's how ML works:

1. Algorithms: ML uses various algorithms, like decision trees or linear regression, to analyze data and learn from it.
2. Data Dependence: ML algorithms heavily rely on the quality and quantity of data they are trained on. The more data, the better the model can learn and generalize.
3. Human Intervention: Feature engineering, where humans identify relevant aspects of the data for the algorithm to focus on, is often crucial in ML.

Deep Learning: Inspired by the Brain

Deep learning (DL) is a subfield of machine learning that takes inspiration from biological systems, especially the human brain. It utilizes artificial neural networks (ANNs) with interconnected nodes, mimicking how neurons fire and transmit signals. However, current ANNs don't attempt to replicate the exact biological processes of the brain. Instead, they mimic the brain's structure and function in a simplified way to achieve similar results in specific tasks.

Here's what makes DL unique:

1. Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs): Deep learning leverages ANNs with multiple layers. Information flows from the input layer through hidden layers, where complex features are extracted, to the final output layer.
2. Automatic Feature Extraction: Unlike ML, deep learning can automatically extract features from raw data during training through a process called backpropagation. This reduces reliance on human feature engineering.
3. Data Hunger: Deep learning models often require vast amounts of data to train effectively, especially for complex tasks like image or speech recognition.

The Key Distinctions

Here's a table summarizing the key differences between machine learning and deep learning:

Choosing the Right Tool

The choice between machine learning and deep learning depends on the specific problem you're trying to solve. Unlike traditional machine learning methods that often rely on supervised learning with labeled data, deep learning excels at unsupervised learning tasks where data is unlabeled.

Here's a quick guide:

• For well-defined problems with structured data, traditional machine learning might be sufficient.
• For complex tasks involving unstructured data like images, text, or speech, deep learning offers superior capabilities.