What is machine learning?
Machine learning is a form of artificial intelligence that gives a computer program the ability to learn and improve on its own without having to be updated and improved manually.
Computer programs with machine learning collect and observe data to see if it can see any patterns that can help make a better decision in the future. Overall, machine learning helps lessen the need for constant human involvement in computer updates.
Pros of Machine Learning
- Trends and patterns are easily found
- No need for constant human intervention
- Program is constantly improving
- Multi-dimensional and multi-variety data
- More personal experience for customers
- Targets the right customers
- Assists with product marketing and finding sales forecasts
- Simplifies data entry
Using Machine Learning to Assist Covid Issues
Machine learning has helped businesses stay nimble by assisting them in finding ways to adapt and face new business challenges. In addition, machine learning commonly used to help businesses adjust and improve customer experience.
Overall, machine learning and artificial intelligence have provided businesses during Covid with:
- Speed
- Scale
- Convenience
At the beginning of Covid, businesses noticed that the AI data that was being gathered was experiencing a giant trend change. The coronavirus trends were nothing like what consumers usually would search. Amazon shared that the week of April 12th, the top ten words that were searched included: toilet paper, face mask, hand sanitizer, paper towels, Lysol spray, Clorox wipes, mask, Lysol, masks for germ protection, and N95 mask.
Amazon was able to see the locations that people were searching these items and was able to track the spread of the pandemic. When trends that are out of the ordinary appear, it is essential to be alert and knowledgable of the information that is being gathered by AI and watch how machine learning is interpreting it.
Once companies figured out how their consumers’ lifestyles have changed from the pandemic, AI companies like Phrasee realized that they needed to start filtering out their language to exclude sayings or activities that bring up sad or anxiety-evoking feelings. Some of the phrases that have been banned by Phrasee are “party wear”, “stock up”, “brace yourself”, and “going viral”.
Navigating through the volatile markets that Covid has left us has certainly been a challenge for most businesses who use AI and machine learning. However, businesses are now certainly more understanding than ever that they must be knowledgable of trends and that, if they use machine learning technologies, to see how the trends have been interpreted.