Data Mining Vs. Machine Learning: The Key Difference

What is Data Mining?

Data mining is considered the process of extracting useful information from a vast amount of data. It’s used to discover new, accurate, and useful patterns in the data, looking for meaning and relevant information for the organization or individual who needs it. It’s a tool used by humans.

What is Machine Learning?

On the other hand, machine learning is the process of discovering algorithms that have improved courtesy of experience derived from data. It’s the design, study, and development of algorithms that permit machines to learn without human intervention. It’s a tool to make machines smarter, eliminating the human element (but not eliminating humans themselves; that would be wrong).

Have a look at the video below that will help you understand the basics of machine learning.

Difference Between Data Mining and Machine Learning

So we see that their similarities are few, but it’s still natural to confuse the two terms because of the overlap of data. On the other hand, there’s a considerable number of differences between the two. So for the sake of clarity and organization, we are going to give each one its bullet item.

Let’s dig in to find out some of the differences between data mining and machine learning:

Their Age 

For starters, data mining predates machine learning by two decades, with the latter initially called knowledge discovery in databases (KDD). Data mining is still referred to as KDD in some areas. Machine learning made its debut in a checker-playing program. Data mining has been around since the 1930s; machine learning appears in the 1950s.

Their Purpose

Data mining is designed to extract the rules from large quantities of data, while machine learning teaches a computer how to learn and comprehend the given parameters. Or to put it another way, data mining is simply a method of researching to determine a particular outcome based on the total of the gathered data. On the other side of the coin, we have machine learning, which trains a system to perform complex tasks and uses harvested data and experience to become smarter.

What They Use

Data mining relies on vast stores of data (e.g., Big Data), which then, in turn, is used to make forecasts for businesses and other organizations. Machine learning, on the other hand, works with algorithms, not raw data.

The Human Factor

Here’s a rather significant difference. Data mining relies on human intervention and is ultimately created for use by people. Whereas machine learning’s whole reason for existing is that it can teach itself and not depend on human influence or actions. Without a flesh and blood person using and interacting with it, data mining flat out cannot work. Human contact with machine learning, on the other hand, is pretty much limited to setting up the initial algorithms. And then just letting it be, a sort of “set it and forget it” process. People babysit data mining; the systems take care of themselves with machine learning.

How They Relate to Each Other

Also, data mining is a process that incorporates two elements: the database and machine learning. The former provides data management techniques, while the latter supplies data analysis techniques.  So while data mining needs machine learning, machine learning doesn’t necessarily need data mining. Though, there are cases where information from data mining is used to see connections between relationships. After all, it’s hard to make comparisons unless you have at least two pieces of information that compare against each other! Consequently, information gathered and processed via data mining can then be used to help a machine learn, but again, it’s not a necessity. Think of it more as a convenience that’s handy to have.

The Ability to Grow

Here’s an easy one: data mining can’t learn or adapt, whereas that’s the whole point with machine learning. Data mining follows pre-set rules and is static, while machine learning adjusts the algorithms as the right circumstances manifest themselves. Data mining is only as smart as the users who enter the parameters; machine learning means those computers are getting smarter.

How They Are Used

In terms of utility, each process has its specialty carved out. Data mining is employed in the retail industry to fathom their customers’ buying habits, thereby helping businesses formulate more successful sales strategies. Social media is a fertile playground for data mining, as gathering information from user profiles, queries, keywords, and shares can be brought together. It will help advertisers put together relevant promotions. The world of finance uses data mining for researching potential investment opportunities and even the likelihood of a startup’s success. Gathering such information helps investors decide if they want to commit money to new projects. If data mining was perfected back in the mid-90s, it could very well have prevented the excellent Internet startup collapse of the late 90s.

Meanwhile, companies use machine learning for purposes like autonomous driving cars, credit card fraud detection, online customer service, e-mail spam interception, business intelligence (e.g., managing transactions, gathering sales results, business initiative selection), and personalized marketing. Companies that rely on machine learning include heavy hitters such as Yelp, Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, Salesforce, and a little search engine you may have possibly heard of: Google.

Data Mining Vs. Machine Learning

What Do They Have in Common?

Both data mining and machine learning fall under the aegis of Data Science, which makes sense since they both use data. Both processes are used for solving complex problems, so consequently, many people (erroneously) use the two terms interchangeably. This isn’t so surprising, considering that machine learning is sometimes used as a means of conducting useful data mining. While data gathered from data mining can be used to teach machines, the lines between the two concepts become a bit blurred.

Furthermore, both processes employ the same critical algorithms for discovering data patterns. Although their desired results ultimately differ, something which will become clear as you read on.

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So What Does This All Mean?

Every day, a little more of our world turns to digital solutions to handle tasks and solve problems. It’s a big enough digital world out there’s more than sufficient room for both data mining and machine learning to thrive. The continued dominance of Big Data means that there will always be a need for data mining. And the continued drive and demand for smart machines will ensure that machine learning remains a very much in-demand skill.

Which offers the most potential, you may wonder? There is no clear cut answer, but we can make a decent, informed guess. The increased interest in artificial intelligence and smart devices and the continued rise in the use of mobile devices are good signs. Between the two processes, machine learning may offer the best opportunities. 

That doesn’t mean that data mining is, by any means, a dead-end career. According to Forbes, the total accumulated data in our digital universe will grow from 2019’s total of 4.4 zettabytes to approximately 44 zettabytes or 44 trillion gigabytes of data. Yes, notice the missing decimal point between those two values!

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FAQs

1. What is the difference between data mining and machine learning?

Data mining is the process of discovering patterns and extracting insights from large datasets, while machine learning focuses on developing algorithms and models that learn from data and make predictions or decisions.

2. What is better: data mining or machine learning? 

The choice between data mining and machine learning depends on the specific task or goal. Data mining is effective for discovering patterns and insights from existing data, while machine learning is valuable for building predictive models and making data-driven decisions. Both approaches have their strengths and can be used together for comprehensive data analysis.

3. Can machine learning be used for data mining?

Yes, machine learning techniques can be used within the process of data mining. Machine learning algorithms can help in identifying patterns, predicting outcomes, and extracting meaningful insights from large datasets, which are essential steps in the data mining process.

4. Is data mining easy or hard to learn?

The difficulty of learning data mining depends on various factors, including prior knowledge, experience, and the complexity of the techniques and tools involved. Data mining requires a solid understanding of statistical analysis, data manipulation, and machine learning concepts. While it may have a learning curve, with dedication and practice, one can develop proficiency in data mining.