Machine learning algorithms

Machine learning algorithms are powerful tools that enable computers to learn from data and make predictions or decisions without being explicitly programmed. These algorithms are the backbone of various AI applications, from image recognition to natural language processing, helping businesses and industries automate tasks and uncover valuable insights from large datasets.

Types of machine learning algorithms

These algorithms can be broadly categorized into six main types:

Want to learn the difference between these types of machine learning algorithms? Check out our detailed Answer on Supervised vs. unsupervised vs. reinforcement learning.

Each category involves distinct approaches to how machines learn from data, depending on the nature of the problem and the availability of labeled or unlabeled data.

Supervised learning

Supervised learning algorithms, such as decision trees and linear regression, excel in prediction tasks where historical data is available.

Unsupervised learning

Unsupervised learning algorithms, such as k-means clustering and hierarchical clustering, excel in identifying hidden patterns and natural groupings within data.

Reinforcement learning(RL)

Reinforcement learning algorithms, like Q-learning and deep Q-networks, excel in environments where decisions affect long-term rewards. They learn through trial and error while addressing the exploration vs. exploitation dilemma. The following illustration provides commonly used algorithms of RL.

Advanced ML algorithms

Advanced machine learning methods include deep learning, ensemble learning, and generative adversarial networks (GANs).

Self and semi-supervised learning

Self and semi-supervised learning algorithms effectively bridge the gap between supervised and unsupervised learning. The following illustration provides commonly used self and semi-supervised learning algorithms.

This list evolves, as machine learning rapidly develops with new algorithms and techniques emerging regularly.

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