Machine Learning 101 for Students

Machine Learning 101 for Students

Siri, how’s the weather today? Alexa, play a song by Maroon 5.  Sounds familiar? Siri and Alexa are digital assistants that make people’s life more convenient.  They are just some of the amazing ideas that became reality because of a brilliant technology called Machine Learning. 

Can machines really perform without the help of humans? Find out more about the science of getting computers to act on their own.

What is Machine Learning?

​Machine learning (ML), which is an application of ​Artificial Intelligence, has become the next big thing in computer science as it teaches a computer to perform a task on its own. Just like how you prepare for an upcoming exam by understanding the set of information given by the teacher and practice through quizzes​, computers have the ability to learn by analyzing the trend on previous examples and applying this when performing future tasks.

To make the concept simpler, machine learning is like the process by which your teachers simply give you patterns or guide which you can use to think critically and analyze future problems and questions. In Machine learning, machines are given numerous ​data instead of codes to let them learn on their own.

What benefits do we get from machine learning?

This acquired knowledge by machines is essential in making possible several technologies that benefit humans.  For example, machine learning makes self-driving cars operate. It allows Google to translate foreign languages. Machine learning is also the reason behind Instagram’s ability to detect faces or ​Facebook​’s genius recommendations based on the person’s interests.

What skills do I need to succeed in machine learning?

Are you interested in computers, data, and statistics?  To be able to teach machines, you must be able to master the language of computers.  Thus, you have to learn first about programming languages such as ​Python, Java, or R.​  In machine learning, you will deal with data sets, data preparation capabilities, modeling skills, data analysis​, and creating ​algorithms. With that, you have to obtain knowledge and skills in ​probability and statistics if you want to pursue machine learning.

What career path should I take?

By revolutionizing the way computers change and affect human lives, machine learning is one of the coolest emerging fields in technology. As more and more businesses realize the impact of ​digital transformation and computer intelligence​, there is a high demand for programmers in the next few years.

Moreover, there is no limit to the field you can pick: image recognition, education, finance, medicine, cybersecurity, transport, and many more. You can be:

  • a ​software engineer​ who writes codes and builds systems
  • a software designer who writes programs
  • a software developer who designs specific computer functions
  • a designer in human-centered machine learning
  • a data scientist that works in information analysis

Machine learning is beneficial to all industries and aspects of a business. As the world’s needs become more and more complex, machine learning engineers can shape the future by making systems that make the world better.

If you are pondering on what you want to pursue in the future,  review your interests and skills and find out if becoming a machine learning programmer is a good goal for you.

Learn about Machine Learning from Informatics’ Aspire Journeys, a collection of online courses related to technology and business. Learn courses such as machine learning, marketing management, operations research, sales management, blockchain solutions, cloud architecture, data science, artificial intelligence, and many more.

One of the pioneers of online learning in the country is Informatics Philippines.  Informatics has been providing students with certification courses purely online since the early 2000s. Through its internationally recognized online schooling technologies, Informatics offers Senior High School tracks, Bachelor’s Degree programs, Diploma courses, and Corporate/Short courses.  Know more about the school’s online programs at www.informatics.edu.ph

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