Physics-Based Engineering and the Machine-Learning "Black Box" Problem - California News Times

Machine learning algorithms are often referred to as "black boxes." Once the data is put into the algorithm, it is not always possible to know exactly how the algorithm will reach the prediction. This can be especially frustrating when problems occur. MIT's new Mechanical Engineering (MechE) course teaches students how to combine data science and physics-based engineering to tackle the "black box" problem. In Class 2.C161 (Modeling and Designing Physical Systems Using Machine Learning), Professor George Barbastathis teaches how mechanical engineers use their unique knowledge of physical systems to check algorithms and create more accurate predictions.