With automation and artificial intelligence expanding across every industry and job function, machine learning – which enables computer systems to learn much like the human brain does – has emerged as one of today's fastest-growing careers. Well-known applications include fraud-detection systems and autonomous cars. To teach the skills to succeed in this rapidly expanding field, Cornell has launched an online certificate program in machine learning. "Machine learning algorithms improve themselves with experience by discovering patterns in data. This approach is extremely powerful but requires a solid understanding of the underlying principles and mechanisms," said Kilian Weinberger, associate professor in Computing and Information Science and faculty author of the certificate program.