There is a lot of confusion around some of the technological buzzwords we hear floating around these days. For instance, people often use the words “Artificial Intelligence” and “Machine Learning” interchangeably. But do they really mean the same thing? Let’s define them:
When a machine performs tasks using a set of defined rules to solve problems (algorithms), we call this “intelligent” behaviour artificial intelligence or “AI”. Machine or “ML” is a subset of artificial intelligence. It is a technique for realizing AI or, to put it another way, training algorithms such that they can learn how to make decisions autonomously. This is achieved by giving lots of data (think “Big Data”) to the algorithm and allowing it to learn more about the processed information.
According to the latest forecasts and market estimates from Forbes:
Open jobs requiring TensorFlow experience is a useful way to quantify how prevalent machine learning is becoming in business today. There are 4,134 open positions in the U.S. on LinkedIn that require TensorFlow expertise and 12,172 open positions worldwide as of today. Open jobs on LinkedIn requesting machine learning expertise in the U.S. further reflect its growing dominance in all businesses. There are 44,864 jobs in the U.S. today according to LinkedIn that list machine learning as a required skill, and 98,371 worldwide.
Roundup Of Machine Learning Forecasts And Market Estimates, 2020 – Forbes.com
No matter what industry you are in, chances are the use of artificial intelligence leveraged by machine learning is going to dramatically change not only your sector, but your work environment as well. This revolution will not only require technically skilled people to implement it but will necessitate leadership and management to understand why they need it, how to leverage it and finally, what deploying it entails.
So no matter what your job title, understanding what artificial intelligence and machine learning are will be critical in the coming years. A great place to start is a short online course provided free by the University of Helsinki (no affiliation):
In spring 2018, Reaktor and the University of Helsinki came together to help people to be empowered, not threatened, by artificial intelligence (AI). Together they built the Elements of AI course to teach the basics of AI to people from a wide range of backgrounds.
You can sign up for the course on the “Elements of AI” website absolutely free. You even get a certificat upon completion.