Class Notes: Introduction to Deep Learning
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Course: Artificial Intelligence Fundamentals
Date: September 2025
Instructor: Dr. Jane Smith
1. Overview of Deep Learning
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Deep learning is a subset of machine learning that uses neural networks with
multiple layers to model complex patterns in data. It excels in tasks like image
recognition, natural language processing, and game playing.
Key Concepts:
- Neural Networks: Composed of layers of interconnected nodes (neurons) that
process input data.
- Activation Functions: Functions like ReLU, Sigmoid, or Tanh introduce non-
linearity.
- Backpropagation: Algorithm to update network weights by minimizing error.
- Loss Functions: Measures like Mean Squared Error or Cross-Entropy guide
optimization.
2. Types of Neural Networks
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- Feedforward Neural Networks (FNN): Basic architecture for simple tasks.
- Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN): Specialized for image data.
- Recurrent Neural Networks (RNN): Designed for sequential data like time series or
text.
3. Applications
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- Computer Vision: Object detection, facial recognition.
- Natural Language Processing: Chatbots, translation systems.
- Healthcare: Disease prediction from medical imaging.
4. Challenges
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- Requires large datasets and computational power.
- Overfitting risks if not properly regularized.
- Interpretability issues with complex models.
5. Tools and Frameworks
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- TensorFlow: Open-source library for building neural networks.
- PyTorch: Popular for research due to its flexibility.
- Keras: High-level API for quick prototyping.
Homework: Implement a simple neural network in Python using Keras to classify
handwritten digits (MNIST dataset).
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End of Notes
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