Over the past year, the pace of development in AI tools has surpassed many expectations. Information about changes is now available on a daily basis. Therefore, Crasman is initiating continuous monitoring to highlight key issues concerning digital commerce from the flood of news.

What are AI, machine learning, and language models?

Before starting broader monitoring, it is worth clarifying a few key concepts and what we mean by them:

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a broader concept that includes systems aiming to mimic human intelligence in various ways. 

Machine Learning (ML) is a part of AI and refers to the ability of computer systems to learn from experience without explicit programming. For example, a machine learning model may specialize in identifying objects in images and classifying files based on that. 

Language Models (NLP) are specific applications of machine learning focused on the understanding and processing of natural language. GPT models (GPT-3 and GPT-4) are language models, and a text-based interface named ChatGPT has been built for them.

Machine learning and language models utilise data

Systems based on machine learning are not programmed for a specific task but learn from experience and the data provided to them. Data may include text, images, videos, programming language, or numerical data. 

Diverse algorithms and techniques, such as neural networks and decision trees, are used in machine learning. With these, systems can learn to recognize images, process natural language, or make various predictions.

A language model is a specialized machine learning application focusing on the understanding and production of natural language. NLP systems often use deep learning and other machine learning techniques to recognize language structures, vocabulary, and context.

AI also becomes a part of digital commerce

All three concepts thus relate to the systems' ability to learn and perform tasks, but they have different target areas. AI is a broader concept encompassing all systems that strive to mimic human intelligence. Machine learning is part of AI, focusing on systems' ability to learn from experience. Language models are specialized applications of machine learning that center on processing natural language.

How do language models, machine learning and, more broadly, AI transform digital commerce? We will explore this further as part of the live monitoring now commencing.

The blog illustration was produced using Midjourney's AI image generator based on a text description created by Crasman.