a general term referring to the use of computer algorithms to construct models from a set of known data Machine learning is often a component of data-mining
The ability for a computer system to develop new knowledge based on its past experiences This is the defining characteristic of a true artificial intelligence system
Machine learning is defined as the use of algorithms to generate a model from data, which is one step in the knowledge discovery process This is similar to the definition of empirical learning or inductive learning in Readings in Machine Learning by Shavlik and Dietterich Note that in their definition, training examples are "externally supplied," whereas here they are assumed to be supplied by a previous stage of the knowledge discovery process (ultimately, raw data are "externally supplied")
Machine learning encompasses techniques where a machine acquires knowledge from its previous experience One of the better known examples of machine learning is artificial neural networks
The attempt to enable computers to learn from experience and improve their performance over time Includes genetic algorithms, neural networks, decision trees, case-based reasoning, and many others
Sub-speciality of artificial intelligence concerned with developing methods for software to learn from experience, or to extract knowledge from examples in a database See also: Artificial intelligence, Knowledge acquisition