machine learning

noun

1

: a computational method that is a subfield of artificial intelligence and that enables a computer to learn to perform tasks by analyzing a large dataset without being explicitly programmed

The company is curating the overall topics manually, but Twitter will be relying on machine learning to intelligently populate the topics themselves so that the tweets can stay up to date.

—Lucas Matney

Unsupervised learning, also known as unsupervised machine learning, uses machine learning algorithms to analyze and cluster unlabeled datasets. These algorithms discover hidden patterns or data groupings without the need for human intervention.

—IBM

Supervised machine learning requires labeled data to adjust the parameters of the model during training. … But without quality training data, supervised learning models will end up making poor inferences.

—Ben Dickson

Reinforcement machine learning trains machines through trial and error to take the best action by establishing a reward system. Reinforcement learning can train models to play games or train autonomous vehicles to drive by telling the machine when it made the right decisions, which helps it learn over time what actions it should take.

—Sara Brown

2

: the branch of computer science that employs machine learning

An entire subspecialty known as machine learning is devoted to building algorithms that allow computers to develop new behaviors based on experience.

—Adam Piore

While many scholars in the developing field of machine learning were focused on improving algorithms, [Cynthia] Rudin instead wanted to use AI's power to help society.

—Duke University

—abbreviation ML

Examples of machine learning in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

These work by applying machine learning algorithms that can detect patterns or visual indicators that would be missed by the naked eye but show up clearly in a digital analysis of the source data. —Bernard Marr, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024

Airbnb describes its anti-party technology as machine learning tools to identify and block risky bookings. —Victoria Song, The Verge, 13 Dec. 2024

In pictures: Hurricane Helene unleashes its fury 1 of 69 There are also models in development combining machine learning with real-world physics — known as hybrid models — that could be the solution to some of these problems. —Mary Gilbert, CNN, 13 Dec. 2024

Nowak also expects ad spending to increase with Reddit’s technological adoption, which includes machine learning modeling and end-to-end automation. —Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 9 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1953, in the meaning defined at sense 1