Applications of Neural Networks: What Do You Need to Know About These?

From Medical Imaging to Self-Driving Cars: The Transformative Impact of Neural Networks

Paula Kehr

Customer Success Director

Applications of Neural Networks: Real-Life Examples You Should Know. 

Artificial Neural Networks are partly composed of Actual Neurons commonly known as units. Such units can be grouped into layers which make up the entire formation of the network.

Each layer can have anywhere from a few units to millions. This depends on the level of complexity, which the neural network has to possess to find patterns in the data.

Neural Networks Explained 

Commonly, in an Artificial Neural Network, there are three types of layers present. These are an input layer, an output layer, and middleware or hidden layers. The input layer receives data from the outer world which the network requires for analysis.

This data then moves through one or more hidden layers. It changes the input into useful information for the output layer. 

Finally, the output layer gives a response based on the input data it has received.

The units in one layer are connected to the units in the next layer in most neural networks. Each of these connections has weights that decide how much one unit affects another. The neural network learns more about the data as data moves from one unit to another. This learning process leads to a final output from the output layer.

Insight into Artificial Neural Network Working

It is based on the human neurons that operate in the brain. It is worth calling them neural networks or neural nets. The first level in an artificial neural network is the input level. In this case, it receives information from the outer source and passes it to the second layer called the hidden layer.

Each neuron gets input from the neurons in the previous layer. It then calculates a weighted sum and passes that information to the neurons in the next layer in the hidden layer. These neurons are connected in a way that has weights attached to them. It ensures that each element impacts the connected neuron uniquely.

How Do Neural Networks Learn?

Neural networks are learned from the training set. For example, if the objective is to teach a neural network to recognize cats, then one feeds into the network several thousands of varying cat pictures. This helps the network learn what a cat looks like.

You need to test if it can identify them correctly once the network has seen enough cat images. You do this by giving it new images and asking it to decide if each one is a cat or not. A human then checks its answers to confirm if they are right.

A process called backpropagation is used to improve its learning if the network makes mistakes. This involves adjusting the weights of the connections between the units based on how many errors it made. This process keeps going until the neural network can correctly identify cat images with very few mistakes.

Types of Neural Networks 

Here we have listed different types of neural networks for you to know:

1. Feedforward Neural Networks 

FNNs are the simplest kind of artificial neural networks. They are often used for tasks like classifying data and making predictions. These networks are good at spotting patterns in data and are fairly easy to train.

FNNs are made up of several layers. Each layer processes the input data in a specific way before sending it to the next layer.

2. Recurrent Neural Networks

RNNs are great at recognizing patterns that happen over time. They are commonly used for tasks like speech recognition and translating languages.

RNNs have a feedback loop that lets information move between different layers of the network. This ability allows them to learn from and remember past events. It is helpful for tasks like understanding spoken words or translating sentences.

3. Convolutional Neural Networks 

CNNs are specially made for recognizing images and are very good at spotting complex patterns. They work like regular neural networks. However, they have a unique layer called a convolutional layer that processes images using specific mathematical operations.

This feature helps CNNs learn different details of images at various levels. CNNs are used in tasks like speech and image processing. This makes them especially useful in areas like computer vision.

Key Features of Neural Networks 

Neural networks have some powerful features that help them solve problems, much like humans do, especially when working with large amounts of data:

  1. Adaptive Learning: Neural networks can learn and understand complex relationships, building on what they already know. For instance, software can use adaptive learning to help teach subjects like math and language arts.
  2. Self-Organization: They can sort and classify large amounts of data. This makes them great for handling complicated visual tasks, like analyzing medical images.
  3. Real-Time Operation: Sometimes, neural networks can give answers right away. It is useful in situations like self-driving cars and drone navigation.
  4. Prediction: Neural networks can make predictions based on data models. It can be applied to things like weather forecasting and traffic patterns.
  5. Fault Tolerance: If parts of a neural network are damaged or missing, it can still work by filling in the gaps. This is especially important in areas like space exploration, where electronic devices might fail.

Common Applications of Neural Network You Need to Know. 

The neural network has many practical applications. It is now time to overview how common they are in our lives and how they are used by people.

Predictive Analytics

One of the most common applications of neural networks is in the prediction models. Such networks can assist in predicting future occurrences like how probable somebody is to default on a loan or how many products shall be sold in the coming months.

Such information can assist business organizations in decision-making processes.

For example, whether to approve a loan for someone or how much stock to order. They can also be used to predict the results of sports games or elections.

Medical Imaging

Professionals use neural networks to help read medical images like X-rays and MRIs in healthcare. These AI systems can analyze images much faster than a human can. They can also work around the clock without getting tired or needing breaks.

Self-Driving Cars

Neural networks also help power self-driving cars. While driving, these cars need to keep track of many different things happening at once often in unpredictable ways. The AI in these cars has to make quick decisions based on the data it collects. Neural networks allow for the complex thinking needed for a self-driving car to navigate safely.

Defense

Every country needs a strong defense team to protect itself. Advanced countries can use neural networks to access and analyze military data. It helps improve their defense systems. Countries are using these technologies to enhance their defense strategies.

Neural networks play important roles in defense by helping with tasks like locating objects. They also help in analyzing attacks and managing logistics. They are also used to control drones and monitor the seas. They can even oversee air patrols. All of these things help create effective defense systems.

Natural Language Processing

This helps computers understand and respond to written text. It is used in chatbots and virtual assistants. This is especially true in banking, to help customers. NLP can also sort, analyze, and summarize information. Additionally, it allows computers to create new texts using large language models that have been trained on lots of data. 

Voice Recognition

Voice recognition technology enables machines to understand spoken words, identify the language, and even pick up on the speaker's tone. This technology helps with things like transcribing conversations, creating automatic subtitles, and sorting customer phone requests based on what service they need.

Stock Market Prediction

Neural networks are being used to forecast stock prices and help with investment choices. This task can be tough for traditional methods, but neural networks can learn and adjust, making them a great fit for this job.

Over time, it has been shown that neural networks can successfully predict stock prices. As these networks get better, we can expect to see them used even more for stock market predictions.

Supply Chain Optimization

An important application of artificial neural networks is to forecast the consumption of a product in the supply chain. This helps businesses order the right amount of inventory.

Companies can save money and work more efficiently by doing this. Neural networks achieve this by recognizing patterns in customer behavior.

Voice-Activated Virtual Assistants

Voice-activated virtual assistants use speech recognition that is based on neural networks. So, that the device can recognize your speech and react accordingly.

These advanced networks can even pick up on the tone and context of your words. This is making the conversation feel more natural.

Final Thoughts 

Neural networks have many uses. These range from recognizing faces to predicting the weather. They work like connected layers similar to how the human brain functions. They can handle a lot of tasks using just a few simple inputs. Neural Network algorithms have made it easier to evaluate data and improved upon traditional algorithms.

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