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collections/blog/Research/_posts/2024-06-06-machine-learning.md

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+---
+layout: post
+title: "Initial foray into machine learning"
+---
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+As of __2024__ the topic of [artificial intelligence](https://hbr.org/2023/06/the-ai-hype-cycle-is-distracting-companies) as blown up and become widely popular. While it is purported as a revolutionary set of technologies that will change the the future of humanity, to a more critical eye such arguments come off as marketing for businesses. Hype aside, the technologies themselves look quite intriguing if nothing else for their novelty. There some also some examples of artificial intelligence that are just too cool to ignore. Here's an example:
+
+{% include youtube.html id='kojH8a7BW04' %}   
+<p align="center"><i>This is an amazing video isn't it?</i></p>
+
+It goes without saying that the above video is an amazing culmination of [Yosh's](https://www.youtube.com/@yoshtm)  work. It's also highly inspiration. These results were apparently obtained by just running some code through a personal computer for a long time. Based on the hype about AI, it gives the impression that one needs very potent computers to teach these computers to do anything useful. But if a simple PC can generate what are demonstrably good results, then it's very reassuring for the layman that one can learn about these technologies on a budget. 
+
+![image](https://media.istockphoto.com/photos/homeless-man-on-laptop-sitting-in-a-junkyard-having-fun-picture-id176133457?k=20&m=176133457&s=612x612&w=0&h=MuBhGm7qQYhcRfO79hT3PrlVKw_5PoO88yvx_kyelNg=)
+
+Thankfully, this area of research has existed for a long time so there is a vast amount of open-source software to learn about it. A great example of this accesibility are free courses like __FreeCodeCamps's__ [Machine Learning with Python Certificate](https://www.freecodecamp.org/learn/machine-learning-with-python/). I admit, I was amazed when I saw this when I looking for tutorials on web development. It was just _there_ and found difficult to _not_ go through the course out of sheer curiosity. 
+
+Once you dive into this world you soon discover even more free resources to learn about AI. There's even free _textbooks_ about the stuff. Here's some that caught the attention of my untrained eye:
+
+- [Learn Pytorch](https://www.learnpytorch.io/00_pytorch_fundamentals/) _Zero to Mastery Learn PyTorch for Deep Learning_
+
+- [Practical Deep Learning](https://course.fast.ai/) _A free course designed for people with some coding experience, who want to learn how to apply deep learning and machine learning to practical problems._
+
+If we keep going there's a ocean of _paid_ courses on AI available at websites like [Coursera](https://www.coursera.org/search?query=machine%20learning). Now that impressive!  
+
+Still, keeping with the spirit of this blog that is hosted on [github pages](https://pages.github.com/) and written on old Thinkpad running [Xubuntu](https://xubuntu.org/download/), I think its best to stick with the non-paid courses (for now). There's no need to pay for education on topics one may-or-may-not end up liking and just don't mesh with intellectually. Those who have churned-out a college degree can attest to this.