Deep learning vs. machine learning: what’s the difference?

Understanding the latest advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) can seem overwhelming, but if it’s learning the basics that you’re interested in, you can boil many AI innovations down to two concepts: machine learning and deep learning.

Examples of machine learning and deep learning are everywhere. It’s what makes self-driving cars a reality, how Netflix knows which show you’ll want to watch next and how Facebook recognises whose face is in a photo.

Machine learning and deep learning often seem like interchangeable buzzwords, but there are differences between them. So, what exactly are these two concepts that dominate conversations about AI and how are they different? Read on to find out.

Deep learning vs. machine learning

The first step in understanding the difference between machine learning and deep learning is to recognise that deep learning is machine learning.

More specifically, deep learning is considered an evolution of machine learning. It uses a programmable neural network that enables machines to make accurate decisions without help from humans.

But for starters, let’s first define machine learning.

How does machine learning work?

An easy example of a machine learning algorithm is an on-demand music streaming service. For the service to make a decision about which new songs or artists to recommend to a listener, machine learning algorithms associate the listener’s preferences with other listeners who have similar musical tastes. This technique, which is often simply touted as AI, is used in many services that offer automated recommendations.

Machine learning involves a lot of complex maths and coding that, at the end of the day, serves the same mechanical function as a torch, car or computer screen. When we say something is capable of ‘machine learning’, this means it performs a function with the data given to it and gradually improves over time. It’s like if you had a torch that turned on whenever you said “it’s dark”, it would recognise different phrases containing the word “dark”.

Machine learning fuels all sorts of automated tasks that span across multiple industries, from data security firms that hunt down malware to finance professionals who want alerts for favourable trades. The AI algorithms are programmed to constantly learn in a way that simulates as a virtual personal assistant – something that they do quite well.

The way machines can learn new tricks gets really interesting (and exciting) when we start talking about deep learning and deep neural networks.

How does deep learning work?

A deep learning model is designed to continually analyse data with a logical structure similar to how a human would draw conclusions. To complete this analysis, deep learning applications use a layered structure of algorithms called an artificial neural network. The design of an artificial neural network is inspired by the biological network of neurons in the human brain, leading to a learning system that’s far more capable than that of standard machine learning models.

It’s a tricky prospect to ensure that a deep learning model doesn’t draw incorrect conclusions – like other examples of AI, it requires lots of training to get the learning processes correct. But when it works as it’s intended, functional deep learning is often received as a scientific marvel that many consider to be the backbone of true artificial intelligence.

A strong example of deep learning is Google’s AlphaGo. Google created a computer program with its own neural network that learned to play the abstract board game Go, which is known for requiring sharp intellect and intuition. By playing against professional Go players, AlphaGo’s deep learning model learned how to play at a level never seen before in AI and did so without being told when it should make a specific move (as a standard machine learning model would require).

It caused quite a stir when AlphaGo defeated multiple world-renowned ‘masters’ of the game – not only could a machine grasp the complex techniques and abstract aspects of the game, it was also becoming one of the greatest players. It was a battle of human intelligence and artificial intelligence, and the latter came out on top.

For more practical use cases, imagine an image recognition app that can identify a type of flower or species of bird based on a photo. That image classification is powered by a deep neural network. Deep learning also guides speech recognition and translation and literally drives self-driving cars.

The difference between machine learning and deep learning

In practical terms, deep learning is just a subset of machine learning. In fact, deep learning is machine learning and functions in a similar way (hence why the terms are sometimes loosely interchanged). However, its capabilities are different.

While basic machine learning models do gradually get better at performing their specific functions as they take in new data, they still need some human intervention. If an AI algorithm returns an inaccurate prediction, then an engineer has to step in and make adjustments. With a deep learning model, an algorithm can determine whether or not a prediction is accurate through its own neural network – no human help is required.

Let’s go back to the torch example: it could be programmed to turn on when it recognises the audible cue of someone saying the word “dark”. As it continues learning, it might eventually perform that task when it hears any phrase containing that particular word. But if the torch had a deep learning model, it could figure out that it should turn on with the cues “I can’t see” or “the light switch won’t work”, perhaps in tandem with a light sensor.

A deep learning model is able to learn through its own method of computing – a technique that makes it seem like it has its own brain.

To recap, the key differences between machine learning and deep learning are:

• Machine learning uses algorithms to parse data, learn from that data and make informed decisions based on what it has learned.
• Deep learning structures algorithms in layers to create an ‘artificial neural network’ that can learn and make intelligent decisions on its own.
• Deep learning is a subset of machine learning. While both fall under the broad category of artificial intelligence, deep learning is what powers the most human-like AI.

What are the different types of machine learning?

To dive a bit deeper into the weeds, let’s look at the three main types of machine learning and how they differ from one another.

What are the different types of deep-learning algorithms?

Machine learning can enable computers to achieve remarkable tasks, but they still fall short of replicating human intelligence. Deep neural networks, on the other hand, are modelled on the human brain, representing an even more sophisticated level of artificial intelligence.

There are several different types of deep-learning algorithms. We’ll examine the most popular models.

Convolutional neural networks

Convolutional neural networks (CNNs) are algorithms specifically designed for image processing and object detection. The ‘convolution’ is a unique process of filtering through an image to assess every element within it.

CNNs are often used to power computer vision, a field of AI that teaches machines how to process the visual world. Facial recognition technology is a common use of computer vision.

Recurrent neural networks

Recurrent neural networks (RNNs) have built-in feedback loops that allow the algorithms to ‘remember’ past data points. RNNs can use this memory of past events to inform their understanding of current events or even predict the future.

A deep neural network can ‘think’ better when it has this level of context. For example, a maps app powered by an RNN can ‘remember’ when traffic tends to get worse. It can then use this knowledge to recommend an alternate route when you’re about to get caught in rush hour traffic.

Data as the fuel of the future

With the massive amount of new data being produced by the current ‘Big Data Era’, we’re bound to see innovations that we can’t even imagine yet. According to data science experts, some of these breakthroughs will likely be deep learning applications.

Andrew Ng, former chief scientist of China’s major search engine Baidu and one of the leaders of the Google Brain Project, shared a great analogy for deep learning models with Wired:

“I think AI is akin to building a rocket ship – you need a huge engine and a lot of fuel”, he told Wired journalist Caleb Garling. “If you have a large engine and a tiny amount of fuel, you won’t make it to orbit. If you have a tiny engine and a tonne of fuel, you can’t even lift off. To build a rocket, you need a huge engine and a lot of fuel. The analogy to deep learning is that the rocket engine is the deep learning models and the fuel is the huge amounts of data we can feed to these algorithms.”

What machine learning and deep learning mean for customer service

Many of today’s AI applications in customer service utilise machine learning algorithms. They’re used to drive self-service, increase agent productivity and make workflows more reliable.

The data fed into those algorithms comes from a constant flux of incoming customer queries, including relevant context into the issues that buyers are facing. Aggregating all that information into an AI application, in turn, leads to quicker and more accurate predictions. This has made artificial intelligence an exciting prospect for many businesses, with industry leaders speculating that the most practical use cases for business-related AI will be for customer service.

For example, machine learning and deep learning are both used to power natural language processing (NLP), a branch of computer science that allows computers to comprehend text and speech. In the CX world, Amazon Alexa and Apple’s Siri are two good examples of ‘virtual agents’ that can use speech recognition to answer a consumer’s questions.

AI-powered customer service bots also use the same learning methods to respond to typed text. A great real-world example is Zendesk’s Advanced bots. Which are enhanced bots for messaging and email that leverage the most extensive database of customer intents, specific to CX teams in your industry for more personalised and accurate responses, higher agent productivity and faster setup.

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