1.什么是机器学习？

1. 定义 ：Simply put, machine learning is the part of artificial intelligence that actually works. You can use it to train computers to do things that are impossible to explicitly program in advance.  Machine learning focuses on the development of computer programs that can teach themselves to grow and change when exposed to new data.

The process of machine learning is similar to that of data mining. Both systems search through data to look for patterns. However, instead of extracting data for human comprehension -- as is the case in data mining applications -- machine learning uses that data to improve the program's own understanding. Machine learning programs detect patterns in data and adjust program actions accordingly.  For example, Facebook's News Feed changes according to the user's personal interactions with other users. If a user frequently tags a friend in photos, writes on hiswall or "likes" his links, the News Feed will show more of that friend's activity in the user's News Feed due to presumed closeness.

2. 为什么要学机器学习

想想如何让机器去识别一棵树？ 用程序实现不太容易吧，怎么办呢？ 另外一个办法就是想办法让机器自己去学习，就像我们从出生到最终能够认得出它是一棵树的学习过程一样。再如，我们把机器人送到月球后，让她做些事情，比如走路。机器人在行进过程中会遇到各种意想不到的情况，怎么办？因为我们没有去过月球，对在月球遇到的很多情况不清楚，基本不可能事先为她写入进行规避行为的执行程序，这时候就需要用到机器学习。让机器通过和环境的互动学习，进而自动环境识别、思考、行动。

在人类不能快速进行做出决策或者针对实现面向非常个性化服务等情况下，也可用机器学习。

响应了那句话： “授之以鱼，不如授之以渔”。 我们让机器学习，就是授之以渔。

3. 机器学习的关键

 a. 有潜在的模式

 b. 事先无法用程序实现

 c. 有原材料（数据）供机器学习