What is this article about? We may associate machine learning, artificial intelligence, and smart computers with something modern that has only been developed in the last decade. However, it would be a mistake to think so, as its history goes back to at least the 1940s.
English level: easy with little challenge
Machine learning history starts in 1943 with the first mathematical model of neural networks presented in the scientific paper "A logical calculus of the ideas immanent in nervous activity" by Walter Pitts and Warren McCulloch.
Then, in 1949, the book The Organisation of Behaviour by Donald Hebb was published. The book had theories on how behaviour is connected to neural networks and brain activity and would go on to become one of the basics for machine learning development.
In 1950 Alan Turing created the Turing Test to find out if a computer has real intelligence. To pass the test, a computer must be able to fool a human into believing it is also human. He presented the principle in his paper Computing Machinery and Intelligence while working at the University of Manchester. It opens with the words: "I propose to consider the question, 'Can machines think?' "
words to learn:
artificial (adj) - made by people, often as a copy of something natural
intelligence (noun) - the ability to learn, understand, and make judgments or have opinions that are based on reason
to go back (ph. verb) - to return
find out (ph. verb) - to get some information about something/somebody by asking, reading, etc.
to fool - to trick someone
We see that the emergence of machine learning is coming from neuroscience. Meanwhile, the idea started even earlier. Some experts explain what AI, specifically machine learning, is and analogise it with English writer Mary Shelley’s novel "Frankenstein." The young scientist Victor Frankenstein creates an artificial man from the pieces of a dead body and brings him to life. That means that the machine learning idea is more than 200 years old. Who knows? Probably the creation of this AI subfield was inspired by this story about a crazy scientist and his creature.
The machine learning idea is similar. Statistical algorithms that can learn from data and perform tasks without clear instructions. So, machines develop the human ability to learn from data and act based on this new knowledge. It partially models our thinking process. However, it does not replace human creativity and intuition. AI does not have the subjective experiences and emotions that often drive creative thinking. But, do we need a full replacement of human thinking with algorithms? We are not sure. Nevertheless, this technology improves the products and services of many companies. Machine learning is a useful tool for businesses.
words to learn:
meanwhile (adverb) - until something expected happens, or while something else is happening
specifically (adverb) - for a particular reason, purpose, etc.
novel (noun) - a long printed story about imaginary characters and events
to inspire - to make someone feel that they want to do something and can do it
ability (noun) - the physical or mental power or skill needed to do something
knowledge (noun) - understanding of or information about a subject that you get by experience or study, either known by one person or by people generally
to replace - to take the place of something, or to put something or someone in the place of something or someone else
tool (noun) - something that helps you to do a particular activity
Examples of using Machine learning by contemporary businesses
YouTube
The site uses a technique called deep learning to recommend videos to viewers, which is based on modelling massive amounts of historical data. It is based on the fact that people like and watch videos that similar people have watched. By analysing the viewing history of individual users and users with similar interests, YouTube can recommend videos that individual viewers are likely to enjoy.
YouTube has been building this system since 2008. Back then, recommendations were based simply on what had the most views. Now, they are based on "over 80 billion pieces of information" about you, according to YouTube.
words to learn:
daya (noun) - information, especially facts or numbers, collected to be examined and considered and used to help decision-making, or information in an electronic form that can be stored and used by a computer
to enjoy - to get pleasure from something
The North Face
In 2015, The North Face created the Expert Personal Shopper in a collaboration with IBM Watson. The North Face used Watson's machine learning for business capabilities to create a virtual assistant that helps customers find the perfect product for their needs.
The assistant is based on a chatbot that asks the customer a series of questions about their preferences, such as climate, activity, and budget. It then uses this data to recommend jackets that are a good fit for the customer. This service has been a huge success for The North Face, with over 60 percent of customers using it to make a purchase.
This is an example of natural language processing (NLP) in business, which is used for customer support and social media bots.
words to learn:
capability (noun) - the ability to do something
customer (noun) - a person who buys goods or a service
preference (noun) - the fact that you like something or someone more than another thing or person
purchase (noun) - something that you bought
MIT
MIT's Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory created a program called ICU Intervene that uses machine learning to predict possible treatments.
It learns from massive amounts of data, including symptom data, to make real-time predictions. It also explains the reasons behind the decisions it makes, which helps to improve patient care. This could make a huge difference in the quality of care that patients get.
There are many other AI and machine learning in healthcare, from image recognition and computer vision to predicting cancer.
words to learn:
to predict - to say that an event or action will happen in the future, especially as a result of knowledge or experience
treatment (noun) - the way you deal with or behave towards someone or something
to improve - to (cause something to) get better
quality (noun) - how good or bad something is
Facebook is using machine learning for a variety of tasks, including facial recognition, content, and ad targeting. In addition, they are using it to build chatbots and to improve the performance of their search engine.
Like a search engine, the feed you view is driven by AI to provide recommended content and keep you engaged, while minimising spam and hateful content.
words to learn:
variety (noun) - the characteristic of often changing and being different
recognition (noun) - the fact of knowing who a person is or what a thing is because of having seen or experienced that person or thing before
ad (noun) - (abbreviation for advertisement) a picture, short film, song, etc. that tries to persuade people to buy a product or service
to provide - to give someone something that they need
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