Machine Learning (ML) is a branch of artificial intelligence (AI) and computer science which focuses on the use of data and algorithms to imitate the way that humans learn, gradually improving its accuracy. Instead of explicitly programming a computer to perform a task, ML algorithms are trained on data to identify patterns and make predictions or decisions.
The term was coined by Arthur Samuel in 1959. Early work focused on game playing (checkers) and pattern recognition. It has evolved from simple linear models to complex deep neural networks.
Machine Learning is pervasive in modern software. It powers search engines, recommendation systems (Netflix, Amazon), spam filters, fraud detection, and autonomous systems. It is the core technology enabling the current wave of AI innovation.