Machine learning demystified: the importance of data

Machine learning (ML) may sound like a daunting concept to anyone unfamiliar with it, some may believe it to lead to outlandish ideas about machines poised to enslave mankind. Fortunately this isn't what ML is, it's basically a major advancement in the development of Information Technology (IT). For ML to benefit an organisation it first has to understand the full benefit and limitations it offers. While the principles of ML are rather simple and intuitive to grasp, it does require the use of specific statistical and IT skills that few people currently possess. To understand the idea think of a common and rather mundane language translation service – like Google Translate – this helped me realise the transformative potential of ML.