Description

The IEEE Student Branch of Wayamba University organized "AI Horizon," the Fundamentals of Machine Learning, which aimed to provide an introduction to the core concepts and applications of machine learning. This session targeted beginners and university students who are new to the field of machine learning and eager to understand its basic principles. Hosted via Zoom, allowing university students’ participation and engagement. Mrs. W. M. L. N. Wanninayake, lecturer at Wayamba University of Sri Lanka with a BSc . (Hons) in Computer Science (Peradeniya) and an MSc. in Computer Science (Peradeniya), graced the event as the keynote speaker. As a beginning, she explained what machine learning is, the definition and significance of ML, and the difference between AI, ML, and deep learning. She differentiated between the types of machine learning: supervised learning, unsupervised learning, semi-supervised learning, and reinforcement learning, providing examples of each. The session then delved into essential machine learning concepts such as data preprocessing and feature engineering. Mrs. Wanninayake discussed the evolution of data generation leading to big data and its implications for ML, various real-world applications where ML is making significant impacts, such as in social networking, e-commerce, and cyber security, the practical aspects of how ML algorithms work, including an example of K-means clustering, the importance of addressing challenges such as AI's potential to surpass human intelligence, and ethical concerns related to bias and privacy. The interactive Q&A session allowed participants to ask questions and clarify doubts. Mrs. Wanninayake addressed queries on various topics, including the choice of algorithms, the importance of data quality, and resources for further learning. In conclusion, the webinar “AI Horizon” was a resounding success, achieving its goal of educating participants about the basics of machine learning. The session provided a strong foundation for those looking to delve deeper into the field and explore its vast potential.