Introduction to Machine Learning
Companion Book
We will be using Introduction to Statistical
Learning by Gareth James as a companion
book.
It’s freely available online, let’s see how to get it
Companion Book
Students who want the mathematical theory
should do the reading.
Students who just want light theory and more
interested in Python Applications.
Companion Book
Read Chapters 1 & 2 to gain a background
understanding before continuing to the Machine
Learning Lectures.
What is Machine Learning?
● Machine learning is a method of data analysis that
automates analytical model building.
● Using algorithms that iteratively learn from data, machine
learning allows computers to find hidden insights without
being explicitly programmed where to look.
What is it used for?
● Fraud detection. ● Recommendation Engines
● Web search results. ● Customer Segmentation
● Real-time ads on web pages ● Text Sentiment Analysis
● Credit scoring and next-best offers. ● Predicting Customer Churn
● Prediction of equipment failures. ● Pattern and image recognition.
● New pricing models. ● Email spam filtering.
● Network intrusion detection. ● Financial Modeling
Machine Learning Process
Test
Data
Model
Data Data Model Model
Training &
Acquisition Cleaning Testing Deployment
Building
Supervised Learning
● Supervised learning algorithms are trained using
labeled examples, such as an input where the desired
output is known.
● For example, a piece of equipment could have data points
labeled either “F” (failed) or “R” (runs).
Supervised Learning
● The learning algorithm receives a set of inputs along with
the corresponding correct outputs, and the algorithm
learns by comparing its actual output with correct outputs
to find errors.
● It then modifies the model accordingly.
Supervised Learning
● Through methods like classification, regression, prediction
and gradient boosting, supervised learning uses patterns
to predict the values of the label on additional unlabeled
data.
● Supervised learning is commonly used in applications
where historical data predicts likely future events.
Supervised Learning
● For example, it can anticipate when credit card
transactions are likely to be fraudulent or which insurance
customer is likely to file a claim.
● Or it can attempt to predict the price of a house based on
different features for houses for which we have historical
price data.
Unsupervised Learning
● Unsupervised learning is used against data that has no
historical labels.
● The system is not told the "right answer." The algorithm must
figure out what is being shown.
● The goal is to explore the data and find some structure
within.
Unsupervised Learning
● Or it can find the main attributes that separate customer
segments from each other.
● Popular techniques include self-organizing maps,
nearest-neighbor mapping, k-means clustering and
singular value decomposition.
Unsupervised Learning
● These algorithms are also used to segment text topics,
recommend items and identify data outliers.
Reinforcement Learning
● Reinforcement learning is often used for robotics,
gaming and navigation.
● With reinforcement learning, the algorithm discovers
through trial and error which actions yield the greatest
rewards.
Reinforcement Learning
● This type of learning has three primary components: the
agent (the learner or decision maker), the environment
(everything the agent interacts with) and actions (what the
agent can do).
Reinforcement Learning
● The objective is for the agent to choose actions that
maximize the expected reward over a given amount of
time.
● The agent will reach the goal much faster by following a
good policy.
Reinforcement Learning
● So the goal in reinforcement learning is to learn the best
policy.
Machine Learning in this Course
● For each algorithm or Machine Learning topic:
○ Reading Assignment
○ Light Overview of Theory
○ Demonstration Lecture with Python
○ Machine Learning Project Assignment
○ Overview of Solution for Project
● Let’s get a brief tour of the Machine Learning notes!
Reinforcement Learning
● Machine Learning takes time to learn.
● Be patient with yourself and feel free to post to the QA
forums.
● No one course can be a reference for all Machine
Learning topics, but I’m always happy to point you in the
right direction!
Let’s start using Python for
Machine Learning!
