What Are Machine Learning Models? How to Train Them

Raw data makes no sense. Making it business ready involves a lot of time, resources, and of course, coffee. 

Data scientists manage data in three ways: management, analysis, and visualization. Machine learning (ML) models are a combination of all of them. It checks on your data, tests its usability, and converts it into your expectations. 

The need for machine learning models is blowing up in commercial and non-commercial industries. Data optimization with artificial intelligence and machine learning operationalization software has become the crux of all production operations. Where most businesses are looking to sack clients, machine learning models are bringing about a huge data-driven revolution.

Machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) stints go back to the 20th century. The idea of the “supercomputer generation” or “fifth generation of computers” created a growth spurt of technology in a vacuum computer world. 

History of machine learning models

The early conception of machine learning began in 1943 when logician Walter Pitts and neuroscientist Warren McCulloch built a mathematical model of a neural network. They aimed to replicate the working of the human brain. A decade later, computer scientist Arthur Samuel coined “machine learning” and described it as  “ a computer’s ability to learn without being explicitly programmed.”

The concept was first born in 1945, when Joseph Weizenbaum discovered natural language processing (NLP) as an offshoot of artificial intelligence. Slowly. newer machine-learning concepts replaced the older ones. Slowly, with the evolution of big data, machine learning incubated a higher form of computer intelligence. This intelligence was more accurate, focused, and lightweight than earlier inventions.

Although machine learning models weren't 100% accurate in terms of output, they give a steady prediction. The prediction accuracy also depended on the kind of training data it worked on. These models learned the similarities between external and internal data to draw projections.

When to use machine learning models

Machine learning models are used to draw insights from already existing data. It is used to automate business operations to drive growth. However, certain problems might not need a data-driven approach. Such problems don't require machine learning and can be tackled with standard mathematical calculations. Some eligible scenarios where machine learning is a must is:

• Rule Inability: In places where you need to detect email spam, machine learning applications like HoxHunt can be used. Hoxhunt's algorithms predict potential spam opportunities and stop you from going to the malicious URL through a spam email. The spam email appears 99% genuine and cannot be detected through simple rules. A robust machine learning algorithm determines all phishing factors and stops the user.
• Scale inability: You might recognize a few phishing emails but not all of them. Phishing is a hacking technique that is invisible to the untrained eye. It makes an email appears genuine while storing your private details in a hidden database. An ML algorithm handles and solves this problem on a large scale.
• Cybersecurity: With machine learning models, cybersecurity software solutions can analyze patterns, spot anomalies in vast amounts of log data, and find correlations. This prevents businesses from security attacks. 

Different types of machine learning models

There are three major types of machine learning models. While all machine learning modeling techniques work on a common purpose, their way of approaching a data problem differs.  

As these models get exposed to more data samples and inputs, it gets better at learning and calculating predicted values. The models develop intelligence with time, constant learning, and experimentation. 

1. Supervised learning

In supervised learning, the machine learning model is taught with predefined inputs.

The model is equipped with both input and output signals. It just needs to figure out how to arrive at an output value. The machine learning model goes through the training process, maps features, and classifies them for incoming data. 

Next, it tries to catch the nearest output signal as the input value gets stored. It uses boolean expressions to calculate data values. Data scientists or ML engineers train this model with a known dataset that comprises input and output. The algorithm needs to devise an interpretation strategy on its own. If a discrepancy occurs, the human user corrects it.

The process iterates till the model receives a high degree of accuracy. Examples of supervised learning include optical character recognition, pattern recognition, and voice recognition.

2. Unsupervised learning

Unsupervised machine learning models identify hidden patterns in data to form relationships and draw conclusions. They process input datasets by comparing them against stored information. The accuracy rate of an unsupervised algorithm only grows when it works with as much fresh data as necessary.

3. Reinforcement learning

In reinforcement learning, the algorithm behaves like an intelligent agent that learns from every unsuccessful operation. The model adapts from incorrect outputs and strives to achieve the end goal. A feedback cycle rewards the model with procured intelligence when the output is correct. But when it’s incorrect, the model learns from its mistakes. 

Each of these three types of machine learning models encompasses different techniques of model creation. Let's look at the most popular ones for now.

Types of supervised learning

Classification, regression, and forecasting are data analysis techniques under supervised learning.

Classification

In classification tasks, ml modeling helps assign a category to data. They must draw conclusions from observed values to classify the output. For example, when classifying patient data as “new” or “old,” an ML model should look at existing registration dates to bucket the data.

The two types of classification algorithms are binary classification and multi-class classification. Binary classifiers return the output as yes/no or true/ false. They’re only responsible for checking whether a particular data class is present or not. On the other hand, if the problem has more than two possible outcomes, it’s called a multi-classification problem.

Regression

Regression is a machine learning method focused on one dependent variable for a series of output variables. The analysis of a regression algorithm makes predictions accurate and useful. It goes through a series of steps like data directionality, analysis of variance (ANOVA), hypothesis testing, and final model creation. 

Machine learning models solve seven kinds of regression problems:

• Linear regression is a data analysis technique that analyzes the relationship between input and output variables. There can be multiple linear regression models for one problem. It helps you correlate data better and create a variable to variable relationship, like the impact of atmospheric pressure on topographical change.
  
  
  

The aim of linear regression is to find a good fit model that shows accurate predictions on test data. 

• Logistic regression works on categorical data. Its working concept is similar to linear regression. It establishes a relationship between dependent and independent variables to calculate predicted variables. However, the output variable can only have two values, yes or no.
  
  
  
  The logistic regression model predicts boolean values like 0 and 1 or true and false. That makes it popular as a computer vision algorithm to detect the presence of external obstacles.

• Decision trees or decision workflows group together all the possible outcomes of an event in a tree-like structure. The tree has defined nodes, branches, and event triggers. Each internal node is a representation of test data. Test data runs on internal nodes to predict outcomes. 
  
  
  
  Even though decision trees are simple and intuitive, they lack accuracy. As it comprises many nodes, sometimes the system gets confused during the computation of the output.
  
  Decision trees are mostly used in product research and development, operational analysis, and strategic financial planning.
• Random forest refers to a large number of decision trees that are clubbed together. Each tree node predicts the presence of a category through a voting aggregator. If most nodes vote for the same output, that output is chosen. Random forest is more complex than other regression algorithms. It can be used for both classification and correlations.
  
•  K-nearest neighbors (KNN) is one of the simplest learning algorithms. It classifies your data based on a category’s nearest data points. The KNN algorithm assumes that the new data is from the same background as the old data and quickly processes the output.
• Naive Bayes classifiers are based on Bayes’ theorem. It is a probabilistic classifier that ascertains the probability of a class to data. It’s one of the newest, fastest, and most accurate ML models. Data teams use it to conduct consumer analysis, sentimental analysis, and article classification.
• Support Vector Machine (SVM) is a classification and regression model mainly used for image recognition or object recognition. Feature maps extracted from the main model and the location of data are fed to an SVM classifier, which combines this data to predict the required category. 

3. Forecasting

Forecasting is a trend-based methodology that predicts the future with present-day or past data. It’s mainly used to extrapolate current business trends and market potential for companies making investment decisions. The most prominent method of forecasting is time series forecasting.

Time series forecasting is a data analysis method to make scientific predictions. It involves building models through historical data analysis over a specific time frame. Examples include weather forecasting, natural disaster forecasting, and epidemic forecasting. The accuracy of time-series forecasting is certain as it works on evidentiary data.

Examples are XGboost, exponential smoothing, autoregressive, and DeepAR.

Types of unsupervised learning

Data scientists or ML engineers use unsupervised learning to build self-assist machine learning models. These models learn and improve on their own, without external data tether.

Clustering

Clustering is the process of dividing input data into baskets of similar categories for further classification. Two effective methods of clustering are best suited for your data.

• Exclusive clustering: This method puts similar data points into defined groups. The data clusters are mutually exclusive. For example, all the states of North America will be placed in one cluster and South America in another. The clusters won’t overlap at any stage of the analysis process. 
  
• Hierarchical clustering: Also known as bottoms-up clustering, this is a more refined and organized way to cluster your data. The algorithm treats each dataset as a single cluster and merges them into one superset. While clustering data, you can choose either agglomerative clustering or divisive clustering. 

Random sampling

Random sampling is a statistical interpretation method that creates random samples of data. It baskets data into different clusters based on their nature, type and behaviour. It is used to calculate census, product supply and demand, and revenue collection in particular areas. Random sampling is similar to clustering but isn’t reliable in terms of accuracy.

Associate rule learning

Associate rule learning imposes certain rules for data classification. It creates interesting relationships and patterns between data and maps co-dependencies in a way that generates maximum profit. Examples are data mining or market basket analysis.

Dimensionality reduction

This technique eliminates dirty data, outliers, and uneven values, making the input dataset cleaner and crisper. Examples include principal component analysis or K-means clustering.

Deep Learning

Deep learning requires large datasets and high graphical computational power (GPU) to predict the class of input variables. It involves neural networks that are made up of activation function and trigger nodes. The network accepts input through input layer, triggers decision nodes through activation function and processes output. The most significant models are:

• Autoencoders
• Boltzmann Machine
• o   Convolution Neural Networks
• o   Multi-layer perceptron
• o   Recurrent Neural Networks

Types of reinforcement learning

To error is human. To error is also machines.

Reinforcement learning appoints a smart agent to work on data. These intelligent actions take action in a machine-learning environment to predict correct outcomes. If reinforcement learning predicts a correct output, it gets a cumulative award. It is one of the three basic ML paradigms of reinforcement learning.

Some popular reinforcement models include.

Q-learning is a popular reinforcement algorithm that helps AI agents make wise decisions. With this algorithm, you can compute q-value, take the required action, and maximize reward points.

State-action-reward-state-action (SARSA) is an on-policy algorithm that calculates the q-value for each state-action pair. For each specific state of the input, there is one designated output and one designated reward in case the output is accurate. Each letter in SARSA represents a row.

A deep Q. network, or deep Q. neural network, is an artificial neural network that has many computational layers. It processes output based on input, weights, and added bias.

Different machine learning models have different utilities and accomplish different sets of goals. You must choose which model will work best for you in the long run. 

Algorithm vs. machine learning model vs. deep learning model

No matter the approach, the end result is always a model that acts upon data. Deep learning. Machine learning or algorithm is the second name of data management, as your data scientist might attest.

Algorithms are a set of programming expressions that are self-explanatory. They execute a thread of commands on the input data. A machine learning algorithm is coded in open-source tools like Python, Java, or TensorFlow. You need to call a specific package from the package library and install its directories. After that, you can load your datasets, set the axis, and create models.  Some packages are Scikit learn, NumPy, or Matplotlib.

The machine learning model is the final creation of a data algorithm. The models are categorized as skewed, normal, or a good fit. The properties of data and the accuracy of the algorithm are the main contributors to a machine-learning model. The model is deployed on test data and extended into an organization's workflow applications.

The deep learning model is one step ahead of the machine learning models. These models are trained to extract and store individual features from data and then use them to make accurate predictions. However, these computing systems need large datasets, image sets, and high graphical computational power (GPU). Examples are the convolutional neural network (CNN), recurrent convolutional neural network  (R-CNN), and “you only look once” (YOLO).

Grasping the technicalities of data can be very tricky. And a lot of trickiness lies in how you choose your ML models.

How to choose the best machine-learning model for your business

To find the best model, take a long look at your existing IT infrastructure. Your current on-premise network will pave the way for future hardware and software compatibility. Factor in your budget, bandwidth, local area network (LAN), data scientists' bandwidth, and other facility maintenance policies to make your machine-learning models work in tandem.

A safe way is to start small. Build a proof-of-concept framework and gauge your AI maturity. Use existing data attributes, volume, features, and complexity to build an intermediate machine-learning model. Validate and test it for small projects and business use cases. When your model sets in with data, deploy it at a bigger scale.

As you progress, count on more team bandwidth, budget, and data scientist's efforts. A lot of effort goes into managing, training, and diagnosing ML models, which can eat into your business resources. 

While the machine learning model represents your data mathematically, it doesn’t come into action on its own. 

Your data is your runway 

Machine learning is the present, but it also lights the way to a digital future. Gather a copious amount of research, study existing processes, and decide what option will put you at the forefront of the software marketplace.

learn how you can choose the correct data science and machine learning model for your business.