AI Terminology

From algorithms that solve complex problems, to chatbots that mimic human conversation, and deep learning models that interpret intricate data structures, this guide explores the key components that make AI a revolutionary technology.

Discover how data fuels AI systems, how natural language processing enables machines to understand human language, and how visual recognition allows computers to interpret images. Whether you're a seasoned tech enthusiast or a curious beginner, this guide offers a clear and concise overview of the diverse elements that constitute AI.

Algorithms

Algorithms are mathematical instructions written by data scientists that tell the machine how to go about finding solutions to a problem. When a small selection of data (called training data) is run through an algorithm repeated, each time tweaked by a data scientist until its results are reliably accurate, the result is a model that the machine can use for additional learning by itself.

Chatbot

A Chatbot is a computer program designed to simulate conversation with human users, especially over the Internet. It is an assistant that communicates with us through text messages or voice and integrates as a virtual companion into websites, applications or instant messengers.

Data

Data fuels AI. It allows AI systems to reveal patterns, trends, and associations with confidence. Some data is structured, which means it's been organized into a format computers can easily read and analyze, such as a database or an Excel file. Other data is unstructured, like tweets, PDFs, and video files.

Deep learning Deep learning (DL) is a group of neural networks (which are, in turn, groups of machine learning models). Deep learning can find patterns in complex data structures like images, video, and sound. Many of its models need no explicit training in order to find a solution, making them excellent for solving problems too big and complex for humans to engineer. Deep learning has been used to train self-driving vehicles, detect fraud, and even make "DeepFake" videos of popular celebrities.

Machine learning Machine learning (ML) is the engine of an AI system. It describes machines that learn without explicit instructions on how to perform tasks. It often depends on models: trained artifacts that guide machines when interpreting new data. Models represent patterns of data and help a machine learning system make predictions without being told how to do so.

Natural language processing Natural language processing (NLP) is the ability of a computer program to understand human language as it is spoken. NLP can train computers to process large amounts of human text, like newspapers or conversations, comprehending the intent and meaning of that data. With NLP, a machine can then reply to humans with nuance and understanding. A common example of NLP would be a customer service chatbot.

Neural networks Neural networks are groups of machine learning models. They simulate the human brain’s densely interconnected brain cells. They can learn things, recognize patterns, and make decisions without having to be explicitly programmed. Neural networks are capable of finding patterns within data that’s so complex that no human could program its analysis.

Reinforcement learning Reinforcement learning is a type of ML model that doesn’t give the machine any data at all, labeled or unlabeled. Instead the machine tries different actions and receives reward signals (like cookies for a dog!) when it makes correct moves. In this way the system is trained solve a problem, with no human work required.

Speech recognition Speech recognition is technology that can recognize spoken words, which can then be converted to text or carry out a spoken command. A subset of speech recognition is voice recognition, which is the technology for identifying a person based on their voice.

Supervised learning Supervised learning is a type of ML model that provides the machine with a set of highly accurate data that’s been labeled by a human. The machine uses this model to recognize related things in untrained data sets.

Unsupervised learning Unsupervised learning is a type of ML model that doesn’t give the AI any labeled data. Instead it gives the AI unlabeled data, and the AI suggests various ways to cluster and organize it. This is valuable when the data is so large or complex that humans can’t identify its patterns themselves.

Visual recognition

Visual recognition, also known as computer vision, is an AI sub-field focused on training computers to understand and interpret pictures and video. Visual recognition models learn how to identify objects, people, or individual attributes in an image. For example, a model could help evaluate automobile accidents, identify the type of vehicle involved and its damage, then estimating its cost to repair.

Credit: IBM

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