Introduction to Machine Learning - Class Notes
1. What is Machine Learning?
Machine Learning (ML) is a branch of artificial intelligence that involves training algorithms to learn
patterns from data and make predictions or decisions without being explicitly programmed for every
scenario. It has applications in numerous fields including finance, healthcare, marketing, and
autonomous vehicles.
2. Types of Machine Learning
ML can be broadly categorized into three types:
- **Supervised Learning**: Algorithms learn from labeled training data (e.g., classification,
regression).
- **Unsupervised Learning**: Algorithms find hidden patterns in unlabeled data (e.g., clustering,
dimensionality reduction).
- **Reinforcement Learning**: Algorithms learn to make decisions by interacting with an environment
and receiving feedback in the form of rewards.
3. Key Algorithms
Common machine learning algorithms include:
- **Linear Regression**
- **Logistic Regression**
- **Decision Trees and Random Forests**
- **Support Vector Machines (SVMs)**
- **K-Means Clustering**
- **Neural Networks**
4. Steps in a Machine Learning Project
The general workflow of an ML project includes:
- Data Collection and Preprocessing
- Feature Engineering
- Model Selection and Training
- Model Evaluation (accuracy, precision, recall, F1-score)
- Deployment and Monitoring
5. Challenges in Machine Learning
Some challenges include:
- Overfitting and underfitting
- Bias in data and algorithms
- Interpretability of complex models
- Scalability with large datasets
6. Conclusion
Machine learning is a powerful tool for solving real-world problems, but it must be applied
thoughtfully. Understanding its fundamental principles, types, and challenges is essential for building
effective and ethical AI systems.
7. References
1. Gron, A. (2019). *Hands-On Machine Learning with Scikit-Learn and TensorFlow*. O'Reilly
Media.
2. Mitchell, T.M. (1997). *Machine Learning*. McGraw-Hill.
3. Russell, S., & Norvig, P. (2021). *Artificial Intelligence: A Modern Approach*. Pearson.