Most common terms in ML and AI

Aditya Kumar

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Aug 7, 2025

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Few common terms used in the science of data.

• Artificial Intelligence (AI): This refers to the capability of machines to perform tasks that typically require human intelligence, such as understanding language, recognizing images, solving problems, or making decisions. It aims to mimic human cognitive functions using various techniques, including machine learning.
• Machine Learning (ML): This is a branch of artificial intelligence that enables computers to learn from data and improve their performance on tasks over time without being explicitly programmed for each task. ML algorithms identify patterns and relationships within data to make predictions or decisions. An example is a spam filter that learns from examples of spam and non-spam emails to identify new spam messages.
• Algorithm: This is a set of well-defined instructions or rules that a computer follows to solve a problem or perform a task. Algorithms are used in almost every aspect of computing, from sorting lists to complex processes like encryption and data analysis. An example provided is Dijkstra’s algorithm, used in mapping applications to find the shortest path between two points, mostly used by people who use maps.
• Data: This is information that can be collected, analyzed, and used to make decisions, predictions, or provide insights. In computing and machine learning, data typically consists of numbers, text, images, or any form of input that algorithms can process. Examples include customer purchase histories, weather…