01 / What is machine learning?

Machine learning covers a range of techniques that allow computers to improve at a specific task without bespoke programming, in an automated fashion. 

Machine learning’s deep analysis allows us to deal more effectively with imperfect data, find patterns within a dataset and produce models from those patterns. We can then use these models to make predictions based on the historic patterns identified. 

The application of machine learning has previously largely been restricted to highly complex problems where the associated investment can be justified – rarely in the built environment. But recent advances in processing power, storage capacity and cloud services have brought the computing capability and statistical expertise into the affordable reach of commercial organisations, and in much shorter timescales than before. 

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