Deep Learning vs. Machine Learning: A Beginner’s Guide

Even if you’re not involved in the world of data science, you’ve probably heard the terms artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, and deep learning thrown around in recent years. Sometimes, they’re even used interchangeably. While related, each of these terms has its own distinct meaning, and they're more than just buzzwords used to describe self-driving cars.

In broad terms, deep learning is a subset of machine learning, and machine learning is a subset of artificial intelligence. You can think of them as a series of overlapping concentric circles, with AI occupying the largest, followed by machine learning, then deep learning. In other words, deep learning is AI, but AI is not deep learning. 

In this article, you'll learn more about AI, machine learning, and deep learning, including how they're related and how they differ from one another. Afterward, if you want to start building machine learning skills today, you might consider enrolling in Stanford and DeepLearning.AI's Machine Learning Specialization.

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Deep learning vs. machine learning

Thanks to pop culture depictions from 2001: A Space Odyssey to The Terminator, many of us have some conception of AI. Oxford Languages defines AI as “the theory and development of computer systems able to perform tasks that normally require human intelligence.” Britannica offers a similar definition: “the ability of a digital computer or computer-controlled robot to perform tasks commonly associated with intelligent beings.”

Machine learning and deep learning are both types of AI. In short, machine learning is AI that can automatically adapt with minimal human interference. Deep learning is a subset of machine learning that uses artificial neural networks to mimic the learning process of the human brain.

Take a look at these key differences before we dive in further.

What is artificial intelligence (AI)?

At its most basic level, the field of artificial intelligence uses computer science and data to enable problem solving in machines. 

While we don’t yet have human-like robots trying to take over the world, we do have examples of AI all around us. These could be as simple as a computer program that can play chess, or as complex as an algorithm that can predict the RNA structure of a virus to help develop vaccines. 

For a machine or program to improve on its own without further input from human programmers, we need machine learning.

Read more: What Is an AI Engineer? (And How to Become One)

Deep Blue, the chess-playing computer 

Before the development of machine learning, artificially intelligent machines or programs had to be programmed to respond to a limited set of inputs. Deep Blue, a chess-playing computer that beat a world chess champion in 1997, could “decide” its next move based on an extensive library of possible moves and outcomes. But the system was purely reactive. For Deep Blue to improve at playing chess, programmers had to go in and add more features and possibilities.

What is machine learning?

Machine learning refers to the study of computer systems that learn and adapt automatically from experience without being explicitly programmed.

With simple AI, a programmer can tell a machine how to respond to various sets of instructions by hand-coding each “decision.” With machine learning models, computer scientists can “train” a machine by feeding it large amounts of data. The machine follows a set of rules—called an algorithm—to analyze and draw inferences from the data. The more data the machine parses, the better it can become at performing a task or making a decision.

Here’s one example you may be familiar with: Music streaming service Spotify learns your music preferences to offer you new suggestions. Each time you indicate that you like a song by listening through to the end or adding it to your library, the service updates its algorithms to feed you more accurate recommendations. Netflix and Amazon use similar machine learning algorithms to offer personalized recommendations.

Read more: Is Machine Learning Hard? A Guide to Getting Started

IBM Watson, the machine learning cousin of Deep Blue

In 2011, IBM Watson beat two Jeopardy champions in an exhibition match using machine learning.

Watson’s programmers fed it thousands of question and answer pairs, as well as examples of correct responses. When given just an answer, the machine was programmed to come up with the matching question. If it got it wrong, programmers would correct it. This allowed Watson to modify its algorithms, or in a sense “learn” from its mistakes.

By the time Watson faced off against the Jeopardy champions, in a matter of seconds, it could parse 200 million pages of information and generate a list of possible answers, ranked by how likely they were to be right—even if it had never seen the particular Jeopardy clue before.

What is deep learning?

Where machine learning algorithms generally need human correction when they get something wrong, deep learning algorithms can improve their outcomes through repetition, without human intervention. A machine learning algorithm can learn from relatively small sets of data, but a deep learning algorithm requires big data sets that might include diverse and unstructured data.

Think of deep learning as an evolution of machine learning. Deep learning is a machine learning technique that layers algorithms and computing units—or neurons—into what is called an artificial neural network. These deep neural networks take inspiration from the structure of the human brain. Data passes through this web of interconnected algorithms in a non-linear fashion, much like how our brains process information. 

AlphaGo, one more descendant of Deep Blue

AlphaGo was the first program to beat a human Go player, as well as the first to beat a Go world champion in 2015. Go is a 3,000-year-old board game originating in China and known for its complex strategy. It’s much more complicated than chess, with 10 to the power of 170 possible configurations on the board.

The creators of AlphaGo began by introducing the program to several games of Go to teach it the mechanics. Then it began playing against different versions of itself thousands of times, learning from its mistakes after each game. AlphaGo became so good that the best human players in the world are known to study its inventive moves.

The latest version of the AlphaGo algorithm, known as MuZero, can master games like Go, chess, and Atari without even needing to be told the rules.

Learn more about the difference between AI, machine learning, and deep learning in this lecture from Google Cloud's beginner-friendly Digital Transformation Using AI-ML with Google Cloud Specialization:

What’s the big deal with big data?

The term “big data” refers to data sets that are too big for traditional relational databases and data processing software to manage. Businesses are generating unprecedented amounts of data each day. Deep learning is one way to derive value from that data.

Read: What is Big Data? A Layperson's Guide

Getting started in AI and machine learning

If this introduction to AI, deep learning, and machine learning has piqued your interest, AI for Everyone is a course designed to teach AI basics to students from a non-technical background.

For more advanced knowledge, start with Andrew Ng’s Machine Learning Specialization for a broad introduction to the concepts of machine learning. Next, build and train artificial neural networks in the Deep Learning Specialization.

When you’re ready, start building the skills needed for an entry-level role as a data scientist with the IBM Data Science Professional Certificate.

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