Machine learning has huge potential to enhance clinical decision making, but there are still many limitations
Machine learning (ML), a subdiscipline of artificial intelligence, encompasses a family of computerised (machine) methods that identify (learn) patterns in large (training) datasets not detectable to humans (Box 1). Identified patterns are then encoded in a computer model or algorithm which is then tested and validated on new data. Three basic ML types exist (Box 2), with supervised and reinforcement learning being used most frequently.
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Brent Richards has received non‐financial support from Amazon Web Services and non‐financial support from Microsoft.