The Master Algorithm

Outline

The Master Algorithm (2015) explains how machine learning works and why it is transforming business, science, and daily life. Pedro Domingos describes five major schools of thought in machine learning, each inspired by a different field such as neuroscience, evolution, statistics, logic, and analogy. He argues that combining them could produce a single master algorithm able to learn almost anything from data.

• Machine learning is already changing business, science and everyday life, so understanding how it works is useful for ordinary readers.
• Domingos describes five major schools of machine learning, each inspired by a different field of knowledge.
• The five schools draw on neuroscience, evolution, statistics, logic and analogy for their approach to learning.
• Domingos argues that combining these schools could produce one master algorithm able to learn almost anything from data.

Pedro Domingos is a Portuguese computer scientist and professor emeritus at the University of Washington, known for his research in machine learning and artificial intelligence. He has received major awards in data science and has helped shape the field through his work and teaching. The Master Algorithm is his book for general readers.