Machine Learning vs. AI

Machine learning and artificial intelligence have become popular buzzwords. Perhaps it's the buzz that has led to the common mistake of the two terms being used interchangeably. While ML and AI do belong in the same conversation, it's unfair and misleading to pit them against each other as machine learning vs. AI.

They can be employed symbiotically. Often, they should.

To do so, we must understand the clear-cut characteristics differentiating the two.

BREAKING DOWN MACHINE LEARNING VS. AI

WHAT IS AI?

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the better starting point for such a conversation. AI is the broad science of training machines (i.e., computers) to execute human tasks. AI maintains that a computer can absorb information from its surroundings and learn accordingly, just like a human would.

AI patterns itself after human abilities; science emulating humans. Imitation, after all, is the sincerest form of flattery.

Within AI are are applied intelligence and general intelligence. As innovations in AI advance the field, specializations and nuances emerge.

APPLIED INTELLIGENCE VS ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

Applied intelligence is the branch of AI that focuses on a system's ability to match or surpass human intelligence for a specified task. Applied intelligence incorporates analytics and automation into the AI process.

Applied intelligence removes the abstraction from AI and -- quite literally -- applies direction to the associated machines.

Innovations under the AI umbrella will continue to drive practices and fine-tune terminology.

CAN THERE BE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE WITHOUT MACHINE LEARNING?

Industry experts still disagree. This ambiguity may just be a case of semantics. As you might be realizing, the always-evolving states of AI and ML create moving targets when it comes to definitions.

Some believe there'd be no artificial intelligence without machine learning. Others believe they could exist exclusively, but can only be of great value when paired.

WHAT IS MACHINE LEARNING?

Machine learning is an application of AI that enables systems to learn automatically and improve through experience absent of explicit programming.

Simply, ML is a process of instructing machines how to learn from data.

Machine learning models churn a cycle of learning and improving. The models ingest data and generate predictions based off of algorithms. The data then serves to inform and fine-tune the model. 

So it's not a case of machine learning vs. AI, but empowering AI through ML.

Machine learning only gets better with more data. Embracing data science, machine learning and AI leads to improved BI.

SNOWFLAKE ENABLES MACHINE LEARNING

The paradigm of machine learning vs. AI is as rigid as traditional data warehouses. Legacy practices stifle the training of ML models.

Snowflake's Data Cloud architecture enables easy data preparation for ML model building.

Instead of worrying about machine learning vs. AI, consider how Snowflake can advance your ML initiatives with its unique cloud-based platform.

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