Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning: What is the Difference?

Artificial intelligence and machine learning have been in the spotlight as companies have become more familiar with and comfortable using them in business practices.

Although they often go together, artificial intelligence and machine learning are different and may have separate applications. Here’s everything you need to know about the difference between artificial intelligence and machine learning and how it relates to your business.

What is artificial intelligence? Artificial intelligence is programmed into a computer to complete tasks requiring human intervention. A computer system typically mimics human cognitive abilities for learning or problem-solving.

What is machine learning? Machine learning is when computers classify data sets (such as numbers, photos, text, etc.) to learn about certain things and make predictions. The more data there is, the better and more accurate it is at identifying distinctions in the data.

Machine learning usually needs human input to start learning, but this is as simple as a human providing an initial data set.

Difference Between Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

The main difference between artificial intelligence and machine learning is that artificial intelligence is a general system with cognitive capabilities, and machine learning is the way systems classify data sets and build intelligence and cognitive abilities. Machine learning is an application of artificial intelligence.

Also Read: OpenAI Transforms ChatGPT That Incorporates Artificial Intelligence

All machine learning is artificial intelligence, but not all is machine learning.

Artificial intelligence and machine learning capabilities 

There are great opportunities for companies to use artificial intelligence and machine learning; we discuss a few below.

Recommendations and algorithms. Businesses can use artificial intelligence and machine learning to create algorithms that recommend products or services to users and correctly recommend products that a user would like. A great example is the algorithm of a streaming service like Netflix, which suggests shows and movies based on viewing history and ratings. These recommendations improve over time as the machine has more viewing history to analyze.

Image search. A machine learns key and distinguishing features when it receives data from images. This type of machine learning helps people use devices for visual search, and Google Lens is a great example of this. Let’s say someone sees someone wearing a pair of shoes they like. She can’t identify the brand, so she takes a photo of the shoe with Google Lens. The app scans the image for recognizable features and characteristics. It searches the internet for a match, eventually leading the searcher to the exact pair of shoes.

Sentiment analysis. Artificial intelligence and machine learning can understand the sentiment behind statements and categorize them as positive, neutral, or negative. Social listening tools, such as Google Analytics 4, are a popular sentiment analysis marketing application, and the tools typically analyze online conversations about brands and use keywords to determine whether people are positive or negative in their statements.

Speech recognition. Machines can also learn to detect sounds and sound patterns, analyze them, and use the data to get answers. For example, Shazam can process a sound and tell users the exact song playing. Siri can display answers to a user’s spoken questions.

Benefits of artificial intelligence and machine learning

The use of artificial intelligence and machine learning can bring a variety of benefits to a brand:

Data Analytics: When systems become more efficient at processing data, teams have a source of useful and accurate information that can help drive business decisions.

Efficiency and time management: Machine learning and artificial intelligence can take over daily routine tasks and allow teams to focus on urgent problems that a computer can’t handle.

Quick Solutions: Intelligent machines can come up with solutions faster than humans. For example, a human could generate a list of reputable sources on a topic, but Google Search would do it faster.

All machine learning is artificial intelligence, but not all is machine learning

Artificial intelligence is a broad term, but it includes machine learning. Suppose your business is looking to take advantage of machine learning. In that case, it’s not that machine learning can’t exist without artificial intelligence.

Regardless of the distinctions, one thing is evident; Artificial intelligence benefits businesses, and adapting the tools to your business strategy can give you an advantage over the competition.

Also Read: Ways Artificial Intelligence Helps Keep People Safe