What is Machine Learning?

Although machine learning (ML) has been around for decades, its practical applications are now coming into focus as it helps companies better understand their customers. Available data from sources such as social media, mobile devices, and Internet of Things (IoT) devices is growing rapidly--we're now generating an estimated 2.5 quintillion bytes of data every day. This flood of information has made machine learning more accessible than ever before. To leverage the full potential of machine learning, however, it's important to understand what it is, how it works, why it's important, and the applicable use cases for your business. Machine learning is a subset of artificial intelligence (AI) that allow systems to learn and improve from experience without being explicitly programmed. It involves algorithms that make dynamic decisions and predictions based on historical data rather than following static program instructions for specific tasks and outcomes.