The History of Machine Learning

Machine learning is an exciting and rapidly developing field of study centered around the automated improvement (learning) of computer algorithms through experience with data. Through persistent innovation and research, the capabilities of machine learning are now in a realm that would be considered science fiction in the mid 20th century. This post highlights the key milestones that paved the way to modern-day ML and provides some insight into what the future holds for applications of machine learning in society. The fundamental unit of deep neural networks is the artificial neuron, which was modeled after the functionality of a biological neuron by McCulloch and Pitts in 1943. In their paper, McCulloch and Pitts tried to understand how the brain could construct intricate patterns using many connected primary cells. The McCulloch-Pitts neuron has a binary output indicating if the neuron is firing or is at rest.