What is Machine Learning?

A message from Manuela Veloso, Professor Emeritus and Former Department Head

Machine learning (ML) is a fascinating field of artificial intelligence research and practice where we investigate how computer agents can improve their perception, cognition and action with experience. Machine learning is about machines improving from data, knowledge, experience and interaction.

Machine learning uses a variety of techniques to intelligently handle large and complex amounts of information built upon foundations in many disciplines, including statistics, knowledge representation, planning and control, databases, causal inference, computer systems, machine vision, and natural language processing.

AI agents with their core at machine learning aim at interacting with humans in a variety of ways, including providing estimates on phenomena, making recommendations for decisions, and being instructed and corrected.

In our Machine Learning Department, we study and research the theoretical foundations of machine learning, as well as the contributions to the general intelligence of the field of artificial intelligence. In addition to their theoretical education, all of our students — advised by faculty — received hands-on experience with complex real datasets.

Machine learning can impact many applications relying on all sorts of data — basically any data that is recorded in computers, such as health data, scientific data, financial data, location data, weather data, energy data, etc.

As our society increasingly relies on digital data, machine learning is crucial for most of our current and future applications.