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What is Machine learning?
Machine learning is a way of building software that learns from examples instead of following rules written by hand.
- Category Models
- Also called ML
- Updated 20 Oct 2026
Machine learning, explained simply
Old software follows steps a programmer wrote. With machine learning, you show the computer many examples and it finds the pattern itself.
For example, show it thousands of spam and non-spam emails, and it learns to spot spam.
Most of the AI tools you hear about today are built with machine learning.
On ITG Now, many of our free GitHub tool guides cover machine learning projects in plain English.
Related terms
Deep learningNeural networkTrainingAI modelTraining data
Questions people ask about Machine learning
Machine learning vs AI: what is the difference?
AI is the big goal of smart software. Machine learning is one main way to build it.
Do I need to code to use machine learning?
No. Many tools use it behind the scenes, so you just use the app.