Tuesday, June 27, 2017

Word of the Day: backpropagation algorithm

Word of the Day WhatIs.com
Daily updates on the latest technology terms |June 27, 2017
backpropagation algorithm

Backpropagation (backward propagation) is an important mathematical tool for improving the accuracy of predictions in data mining and machine learning. Essentially, backpropagation is an algorithm used to calculate derivatives quickly.

Artificial neural networks use backpropagation as a learning algorithm to compute a gradient descent with respect to weights. Desired outputs are compared to achieved system outputs, and then the systems are tuned by adjusting connection weights to narrow the difference between the two as much as possible. The algorithm gets its name because the weights are updated backward, from output towards input.

The difficulty of understanding exactly how changing weights and biases affects the overall behavior of an artificial neural network was one factor that held back wider application of neural network applications, arguably until the early 2000s when computers provided the necessary insight. Today, backpropagation algorithms have practical applications in many areas of artificial intelligence, including optical character recognition (OCR), natural language processing (NLP) and image processing.

Because backpropagation requires a known, desired output for each input value in order to calculate the loss function gradient, it is usually classified as a type of supervised machine learning. Along with classifiers such as Na?ve Bayesian filters and decision trees, the backpropagation algorithm has emerged as an important part of machine learning applications that involve predictive analytics.

Quote of the Day

"Today, neural networks mainly learn to recognize patterns found in training data by using an incremental technique called backpropagation." - Mike Matchett

 

Trending Terms

data mining
machine learning
AI
optical character recognition
neural network
predictive analytics

 
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Writing for Business

Although some parts of the consumer industry are adept at using artificial intelligence apps practically and profitably, most businesses are slow to ________ and implement AI.
A. except
B. accept
Answer

 

 

 

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