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What is deep learning?

Learn about how deep learning uses artificial neural networks, why deep learning matters, and different types of deep learning models.
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Deep learning defined

Deep learning is a type of machine learning that uses artificial neural networks to enable digital systems to learn and make decisions based on unstructured, unlabeled data.

Machine learning trains AI systems to learn from acquired experiences with data, recognize patterns, make recommendations, and adapt. Instead of just responding to sets of rules, deep learning systems build knowledge from examples and then use that knowledge to react, behave, and perform like humans.

Key takeaways

  • Deep learning is a type of machine learning that facilitates learning and decision making in digital systems.
  • Deep learning relies on neural network architectures that mimic human brain functionality.
  • Developers rely on deep learning frameworks like TensorFlow or PyTorch to make complex machine learning models easier to implement.
  • Industries employ deep learning in a variety of ways. Chatbots, driverless cars, and digital assistants are all examples of technologies that use deep learning.
  • Companies across multiple industries are investing in deep learning to drive innovation, uncover new opportunities, and reveal insights from vast data sets.

Why deep learning matters

Data scientists and developers use deep learning software to train computers to analyze big and complex data sets, complete complicated and nonlinear tasks, and respond to text, voice, or images, often faster and more accurately than humans. These capabilities have many practical applications and have made many modern innovations possible. For example, deep learning is what driverless cars use to process images and distinguish pedestrians from other objects on the road or what your smart home devices use to understand your voice commands.

Deep learning matters because, as data volumes increase and computing capacity becomes more powerful and affordable, companies across retail, healthcare, transportation, manufacturing, technology, and other sectors are investing in deep learning to drive innovation and stay relevant.

How deep learning works

Deep learning works by relying on neural network architectures in multiple layers, high-performance graphics processing units deployed in the cloud or on clusters, and large volumes of labeled data to achieve very high levels of text, speech, and image recognition accuracy. All that power can help your developers create digital systems that mimic human intelligence and streamline time to value by accelerating model training from weeks to hours.

For example, a driverless car model might require thousands of video hours and millions of images to train. Without deep learning, this level of training couldn’t be done at scale.

What is a deep learning framework?

To make complex machine learning models easier to implement, developers turn to deep learning frameworks like TensorFlow or PyTorch. These frameworks help streamline the process of collecting data which can then be used to train neural networks. In addition, accelerators like ONNX Runtime can be used with these frameworks to accelerate training and inferencing models.

Training deep learning models

There are different strategies and methods for training deep learning models. Let’s take a closer look at a few of them.

Supervised learning

With supervised learning, an algorithm is trained on datasets that are labeled. This means that when the algorithm makes a determination about a piece of information, it can use the labels included with the data to check if that determination is correct. With supervised learning, the data that models are trained on must be provided by humans, who label the data before using it to train the algorithm.

Unsupervised learning

With unsupervised learning, algorithms are trained on data that does not contain labels or information that the algorithm can use to check its determinations against. Instead, the system sorts and classifies the data based on the patterns that it recognizes on its own.

Reinforcement learning

With reinforcement learning, a system solves tasks using trial and error to make series of decisions in sequence and achieve an intended outcome even in an environment that is not straightforward. With reinforcement learning, the algorithm doesn’t use datasets to make determinations, but rather information that it gathers from an environment.

Deep reinforcement learning

When deep learning and reinforcement learning techniques are combined, they create a type of machine learning called deep reinforcement learning. Deep reinforcement learning uses the same trial-and-error decision making and complex goal achievement as reinforcement learning, but also relies on deep learning capabilities to process and make sense of large amounts of unstructured data.

What is deep learning used for?

Deep learning is used within businesses in a variety of industries for a wide range of use cases. Here are some examples of how deep learning is commonly used:

Image, speech, and emotion recognition

Deep learning software is used to increase image, speech, and emotion recognition accuracy and to enable photo searches, personal digital assistants, driverless vehicles, public safety, digital security, and other intelligent technologies.

Chatbots

Savvy businesses use deep learning to power text- or voice-activated online chatbots for frequently asked questions, routine transactions, and especially for customer support. They replace teams of service agents and queues of waiting customers with automated, contextually appropriate, and useful responses.

Driverless vehicles

Self-driving cars use deep learning algorithms to process multiple dynamic data feeds in split seconds and react to the unexpected faster than a human driver.

Tailored experiences

Streaming services, e-commerce retailers, and other businesses use deep learning models to drive automated recommendations for products, movies, music, or other services and to perfect customer experiences based on purchase histories, past behavior, and other data.

Personal digital assistants

Voice-activated personal digital assistants use deep learning to understand speech, respond appropriately to queries and commands in natural language, and even crack wise occasionally.

Understanding neural networks

Neural networks are digital architectures designed to mimic human brain activity. They’re made up of interconnected nodes that process and learn from data, enabling tasks like pattern recognition and decision-making in machine learning. Business and other institutions rely on these models for financial forecasting, sales strategies, and other business decisions.

What are neural networks?

An artificial neural network is a digital architecture that mimics human cognitive processes to model complex patterns, develop predictions, and react appropriately to external stimuli. Structured data is required for many types of machine learning, versus neural networks, which are capable of interpreting events in the world around them as data that can be processed.

Whenever you read a report, watch a movie, drive a car, or smell a flower, billions of neurons in your brain process the information through tiny electric signals. Each neuron processes inputs, and the results are output to the next neuron for subsequent processing, ultimately and instantly producing a business insight, a chuckle, a foot on the brake, or a little joy. In machine learning, neural networks allow digital systems to interpret and react to situations in a similar way.

An artificial neural network is like a brain full of digital neurons. While most of them are rudimentary imitations of the real thing, they can still process large volumes of nonlinear data to solve complex problems that might otherwise require human intervention. For example, bank analysts can use an artificial neural networks to process loan applications and predict an applicant’s likelihood of default.

What you can do with neural networks

In machine learning, neural networks are used for learning and modeling complex, volatile inputs and outputs, inferring unseen relationships, and making predictions without data distribution restrictions. Neural network models are the foundation for many deep learning applications, such as computer vision and natural language processing, which can help support fraud protection, facial recognition, or autonomous vehicles.

Most businesses rely on forecasting to inform business decisions, sales strategies, financial policies, and resource utilization. But the limitations of traditional forecasting often make it difficult to predict complex, dynamic processes with multiple and often hidden underlying factors, such as stock market prices. Deep learning neural network models help expose complex nonlinear relationships and unseen factors so that businesses can develop more accurate forecasts.

Common neural networks

There are dozens of different types of AI neural networks, and each is suitable for different deep learning applications. Use an ANN that’s appropriate for your business and technology requirements. Here are some examples of common AI neural networks:

Convolutional neural network
Developers use a convolutional neural network to help AI systems convert images to digital matrices. Used primarily for image classification and object recognition, CNNs are appropriate for facial recognition, topic detection, and sentiment analyses.

Deconvolutional neural network
If complex or high-volume network signals get lost or convoluted with other signals, a deconvolutional neural network will help find them. Deconvolutional neural networks are useful for processing high-resolution images and optical flow estimates.

Generative adversarial network
Engineers use a generative adversarial network to train models how to generate new information or material that mimics the specific properties of the training data. Generative adversarial networks help the models distinguish subtle differences between originals and copies to make more authentic copies. Generative adversarial network applications include high-fidelity image and video generation, advanced facial recognition, and super resolution.

Recurrent neural network
A recurrent neural network inputs data to hidden layers with specific time-delays. Network computing accounts for historical information in current states, and higher inputs don’t change the model size. Recurrent neural networks are a good choice for speech recognition, advanced forecasting, robotics, and other complex deep learning workloads.

Transformers
Transformers are designed to handle sequential input data. However, they aren’t restricted to processing that data in sequential order. Instead, transformers use attention—a technique that allows models to assign different levels of influence to different pieces of input data and to identify the context for individual pieces of data in an input sequence. This allows for an increased level of parallelization, which can reduce model training times.

Machine learning vs. neural networks

Although neural networks are considered a subset of machine learning, there are some significant differences between neural networks and regular machine learning models.

For one, neural networks are generally more complex and capable of operating more independently than regular machine learning models. For example, a neural network is able to determine on its own whether its predictions and outcomes are accurate, while a machine learning model would require the input of a human engineer to make that distinction.

Additionally, neural networks are structured so that the neural network can continue to learn and make intelligent decisions all on its own. Machine learning models, on the other hand, are limited to decision-making based only on what it has specifically been trained on.
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FAQ

  • Deep learning is a subset of AI. It uses artificial neural networks that help digital systems to learn and make decisions based on unstructured, unlabeled data.
  • Deep learning is a subset of machine learning. The primary difference between the two is how each algorithm learns and how much data each type of algorithm requires. Since deep learning uses more data, enterprises generally rely on it for more complex tasks.
  • AI, machine learning, and deep learning are often used interchangeably. However, it’s easiest to think of these three as a series of AI systems from largest to smallest, each encompassing the next. AI is the overarching system, machine learning is a subset of AI, and deep learning is a subset of machine learning.
  • Deep learning is used within a wide range of industries in a variety of ways. Digital assistants, for example, use deep learning to understand speech and respond appropriately to queries and commands.
  • Deep learning is important because it reveals insights from vast data sets in ways that weren’t possible before. Companies across retail, healthcare, transportation, manufacturing, and other sectors are investing in deep learning to drive innovation, uncover opportunities, and stay relevant.
  • Azure employs deep learning through a complex system of neural network architectures, high-performance GPUs, and large volumes of labeled data. These services empower developers who use Azure to create intelligent, cutting-edge, market-ready, and responsible applications.