Why Machines Learn

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This rich narrative explores the mathematics behind machine learning and the rapid growth of artificial intelligence, which now impacts critical decisions in areas like mortgage approvals, cancer diagnosis, and bail determinations. Machine learning systems are also driving advancements in chemistry, biology, and physics, including genome studies and quantum systems, all before the advent of large language models like ChatGPT. We are witnessing a revolution in AI that relies on fundamental mathematical concepts, some dating back centuries, such as linear algebra and calculus. The evolution of computer science and the development of 1990s gaming chips have fueled this AI explosion. In this enlightening work, Anil Ananthaswamy delves into the essential math behind machine learning and explores potential connections between artificial and natural intelligence. He poses an intriguing question: could the same mathematical principles govern both? Ananthaswamy emphasizes that to safely and effectively harness artificial intelligence, we must understand its profound capabilities and limitations, which are rooted in the mathematics that underlies machine learning.