'''Machine learning''' (ML) is nothingthe [[Branches of science|scientific study]] of [[algorithm]]s and [[statistical model]]s that [[computer systems]] use to progressively improve their performance on a specific task. Machine learning algorithms build a mathematical model of sample data, known as "[[training data]]", in order to make predictions or decisions without being explicitly programmed to perform the task.{{refn|The definition "without being explicitly programmed" is often attributed to [[Arthur Samuel]], who coined the term "machine learning" in 1959, but the phrase is not found verbatim in this publication, and may be a [[paraphrase]] that appeared later. Confer "Paraphrasing Arthur Samuel (1959), the question is: How can computers learn to solve problems without being explicitly programmed?" in {{Cite conference|url=https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-94-009-0279-4_9|title=Automated Design of Both the Topology and Sizing of Analog Electrical Circuits Using Genetic Programming|conference=Artificial Intelligence in Design '96|last=Koza|first=John R.|last2=Bennett|first2=Forrest H.|last3=Andre|first3=David|last4=Keane|first4=Martin A.|date=1996|publisher=Springer, Dordrecht|pages=151–170|language=en|doi=10.1007/978-94-009-0279-4_9}}}}<ref name="bishop2006" />{{rp|2}} Machine learning algorithms are used in the applications of [[email filtering]], detection of network intruders, and [[computer vision]], where it is infeasible to develop an algorithm of specific instructions for performing the task. Machine learning is closely related to [[computational statistics]], which focuses on making predictions using computers. The study of [[mathematical optimization]] delivers methods, theory and application domains to the field of machine learning. [[Data mining]] is a field of study within machine learning, and focuses on [[exploratory data analysis]] through [[unsupervised learning]].{{refn|Machine learning and pattern recognition "can be viewed as two facets of the same field."<ref name="bishop2006" />{{rp|vii}}}}<ref>{{cite journal |last=Friedman |first=Jerome H. |authorlink = Jerome H. Friedman|title=Data Mining and Statistics: What's the connection? |journal=Computing Science and Statistics |volume=29 |issue=1 |year=1998 |pages=3–9}}</ref> In its application across business problems, machine learning is also referred to as [[predictive analytics]].
