Does machine learning still sound like a far fetched technology? Well, then it’s time you understand how these sophisticated machines have taken over our daily lives - without making it apparent.


I am not going to give you complicated scenarios to realize that.

Did you check your emails today? Of course, you have! How do you think your email distinguishes between your primary and spam emails?

Wait, I have more!

You definitely must have seen personalized movie recommendations on Netflix and product recommendations on Amazon. How do you think that gets sorted?

Let’s understand this - It is Machine Learning that provides these and several other subtle facilities. I say ‘subtle’ because we have become so used to this technology that we no longer find anything strange in it.

This is how rooted Machine Learning is in our daily lives.

I want you to imagine this - If Machine Learning alone is capable of all this, how disruptive will the technology be when it is combined with Blockchain? (we’ll talk about it)

Let’s dive deep into the technicalities-

What is Machine Learning?

Image Courtesy:- Medium


Machine learning is basically a subset of artificial intelligence (AI). Through it, the systems can automatically learn and improve from experience without being explicitly programmed. Machine learning focuses on the development of computer programs that can access data and use it to learn for themselves.

So, you see Machine Learning largely depends on one source and that is - data.

We generate humongous amounts of data on a daily basis.

Our smartphones, computers, and other devices only add to the process. This data, if used efficiently, holds power to change the wat we have known technology and the world.

The best part is that it is not tied down to any particular industry. It has far-reaching benefits to all domains of our lives. Here are the top machine learning frameworks.

However, the data is originally present in unstructured stat and needs to be processed and analyzed before meaningful information can be derived from it. 

Traditionally, done by humans, this process is now dependant on machines as the volumes of data have surpassed human ability. Machines can make sense of all this data and guide us through complicated processes - all this without being explicitly programmed. That’s the reason we call it Machine ‘Learning.’

Now that we understand what Machine Learning is, let’s know about another groundbreaking technology that can compliment it in innovative ways.

It is - Blockchain.

We all have heard of it, today let us know what it actually is.

We already discussed how large amounts of data need to be efficiently used to change the dynamics of technology and our lives in general. This data, however, is a double-edged sword.

It is our greatest asset but - if not protected - can also be one of the major causes of our destruction. Here, data security comes in.

In a world that is practically being run by data, it’s security is crucial than ever before.


That’s where, Blockchain, scores.

So, what is Blockchain?

Blockchain is basically a distributed ledger that is open to everyone. It was originally invented to timestamp digital documents so that their tampering becomes impossible. It has been around for many years but rose to prominence only in 2009 when Satoshi Nakamoto founded Bitcoin- a digital cryptocurrency. It is a chain of blocks that contain information, hence the name - Blockchain.

Structure-

Each block contains - data, hash, and hash of the previous block.

It works on a peer-to-peer network and isn’t managed by a single entity. All this adds to its security.



Now, to tamper the data in the blockchain,
  • one needs to tamper all the blocks,
  • take control of more than 50% of peer to peer networks.
And that is quite impossible to achieve.

It essentially decentralizes the power of data management.

So, there won’t be a single party that holds the power of our data but a peer-to-peer network through which data management becomes transparent and secure.

Machine Learning and Blockchain both are pathbreaking technologies. It’s time we talk about their convergence.

Speaking of blockchain, it essentially-

  • Reduces risk
  • Detects fraud
  • Reduces cost
  • Enhances speed
  • Provides security


Here are 3 ways how Machine Learning can benefit from Blockchain

  1. Data security and verification - A lot of data is being generated and AI makes use of it. But with this massive amount of data, there comes a continuous threat to its security. Blockchain comes to play here! It provides the data with a decentralized base and makes the transactions transparent thereby lending a highly secured and immutable system. AI is a black box, and owing to its probabilistic approach, it might make a mistake in case of faulty data input. And that can wreak havoc! Blockchain provides a secure and transparent way to overcome this as it consists of multiple miners that verify the data at every stage of the process.
  2. Data integrity and enhancement in artificial trust - Machine Learning works on large volumes of data. So, it basically utilizes all the data available to it to learn, experience, and form patterns. But who makes sure that the data is free from all discrepancies? For Artificial intelligence to produce efficient results, the data must be accurate and reliable. Blockchain can do that. It makes sure that the data is private, immutable, transparent, and distributed. Also, the very nature that it operates under decentralized power and can be accessed in real-time ensures that the third party processing errors are completely avoided. Blockchain will not only add accountability but also enhance the meaningfulness of the results AI produces. Blockchain also enhances the trustability of Artificial Intelligence. How? It ensures that a publically accessible yet immutable ledger is maintained that contains data in the form of a cryptographic digital signature. This makes information (authenticated by smart contracts) accessible to all users, thereby eliminating the need for intermediaries.
  3. Increased transparency - Blockchain or distributed ledger technology wraps the Artificial Intelligence system with transparency. It makes the details involved in decision-making accessible in real-time. So, whenever a decision goes wrong, you can point at the exact cause of failure which in turn helps to plan a better strategy.
  4. Concluding notes- Machine learning and Blockchain are two of the most sensational technologies that, in essence, are quite opposite to each other. Their convergence, however, is sure to bring a wave of revolution leaving no industry untouched.


Author bio:- 

Sourodip Biswas works with an expert team of web and mobile app developers at Space-O Canada, a leading software development company. He spends his time researching technologies and mobile apps. His work has been published on various distinguished blogs across the web.