7.3 - Types of Modelling
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Introduction to Descriptive Modelling
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Today, we're diving into the first type of modelling: Descriptive Modelling. Can anyone tell me what this might mean in the context of AI?
I think it’s about looking at past data to find patterns?
Exactly! Descriptive modelling focuses on understanding historical data. It’s about answering the question: 'What happened?' For example, businesses use it for market segmentation to target customers effectively. Remember, it doesn't predict future outcomes!
So, it’s kind of like reading a story from data?
Yes, that's a great analogy! You can think of it as revealing trends and insights from the past that can help in making informed decisions.
Is clustering a part of descriptive modelling?
Correct! Clustering is a technique within descriptive modelling that groups similar data together. Any questions?
I want to understand how it's used in real life.
Great question! Descriptive modelling can be seen in market research, where companies analyze past buying patterns to strategize future marketing campaigns.
To wrap this up, remember: Descriptive Modelling is all about understanding the past. Let's move on to predictive modelling!
Introduction to Predictive Modelling
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Now let's shift gears to Predictive Modelling. What do you think this involves?
Is it about predicting what will happen next based on past data?
Precisely! Predictive modelling is focused on forecasting future events. It requires datasets with defined input features and target labels. Can you give an example where predictive modelling is applied?
Maybe predicting housing prices?
Absolutely! Predictive modelling allows us to estimate future prices based on historical trends and features such as location, size, and market conditions. Any other examples?
What about medical diagnostics?
Yes! Predictive modelling can help diagnose diseases by analyzing patterns in patient data. It’s vital in sectors like healthcare and finance.
Could it be used for spam detection too?
Exactly! Predictive modelling helps filter spam emails by learning from past data on what constitutes spam. Remember: it's all about 'What could happen next?'.
In summary, predictive modelling is key to making forecasts and aiding strategic decisions across many domains.
Comparing Descriptive and Predictive Modelling
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Now that we know both types of modelling, how do they differ?
Descriptive modelling looks at what happened in the past, and predictive modelling looks at what might happen in the future?
That's correct! They complement each other. Descriptive modelling gives us the insight we need from the past, while predictive modelling uses that insight to forecast future events. How can businesses utilize both?
They could identify trends with descriptive modelling and then use predictive modelling to make strategic decisions.
Exactly! For instance, a retail store might analyze past purchase data (descriptive) to adjust its inventory predictions (predictive).
So they need both types to operate effectively?
Correct! Together, they enhance decision-making processes. Before we finish today, remember both modelling types play a crucial role in any AI system!
Introduction & Overview
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Quick Overview
Standard
In AI, modelling is critical, and this section delineates two major types: descriptive modelling, which uncovers patterns in past data, and predictive modelling, which forecasts future outcomes based on that data. Understanding these types is essential for effective model development.
Detailed
Types of Modelling
In the context of artificial intelligence, the distinction between descriptive and predictive modelling plays a pivotal role in how AI systems process information and make decisions.
Descriptive Modelling
- Definition: This type focuses on analyzing past data to identify patterns or structures.
- Applications: It is particularly useful in scenarios like clustering, market segmentation, and discovering inherent patterns within datasets. By understanding the data trends, businesses can make informed decisions.
Predictive Modelling
- Definition: Contrary to descriptive modelling, predictive modelling aims at forecasting future outcomes based on historical data.
- Requirements: Predictive models often necessitate a dataset that includes both input features and target labels.
- Examples: Applications include predicting housing prices, diagnosing diseases, and spam detection. This type of modelling enables organizations to operationalize their data effectively to make informed predictions about future events.
Significance
Both modelling types demonstrate the value of data analysis in AI, with descriptive modelling focusing on understanding historical data and predictive modelling being more forward-looking. Mastering these concepts is fundamental to building efficient AI systems.
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Descriptive Modelling
Chapter 1 of 2
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Chapter Content
• Describes the past data and finds patterns or structures within it.
• Focuses on data exploration, not prediction.
• Often used in clustering, market segmentation, and pattern discovery.
Detailed Explanation
Descriptive modelling involves analyzing historical data to identify patterns and structures. Unlike predictive modelling, which forecasts future outcomes, descriptive modelling helps understand what has happened in the past. It is especially useful in fields like marketing, where businesses want to understand customer behavior or segment their markets based on characteristics or preferences.
Examples & Analogies
Imagine a detective studying old cases to identify common patterns among criminals. Just like the detective uses previous cases to understand behavior, descriptive modelling helps organizations analyze past data to find trends.
Predictive Modelling
Chapter 2 of 2
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Chapter Content
• Focuses on predicting future outcomes based on past data.
• Requires a dataset with input features and target labels.
• Examples: Predicting house prices, diagnosing diseases, spam detection.
Detailed Explanation
Predictive modelling uses historical data to create a model that forecasts future events. This type of modelling requires clear input features (the data used to make predictions) and target labels (the outcomes you want to predict). It is commonly applied in various fields, such as finance for predicting stock prices or in healthcare for diagnosing diseases based on symptoms and medical history.
Examples & Analogies
Think of predictive modelling like weather forecasting. Meteorologists analyze past weather data (e.g., temperature, humidity) to predict whether it will rain tomorrow. Similarly, predictive models use data to forecast future results.
Key Concepts
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Descriptive Modelling: Focuses on analyzing past data to find patterns. It's used for data exploration and understanding historical contexts.
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Predictive Modelling: Aims to predict future outcomes using past data, often necessary for strategic planning and forecasting.
Examples & Applications
Descriptive modelling is used in analyzing consumer buying habits to segment markets effectively.
Predictive modelling can forecast real estate prices based on historical sales data and property features.
Memory Aids
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Rhymes
Descriptive sees the past, patterns it will cast; Predictive looks ahead, to find what’s widespread.
Stories
Imagine a detective (descriptive modelling) investigating a crime scene, piecing together clues from past events. Meanwhile, a fortune teller (predictive modelling) gazes into a crystal ball to foresee events yet to come.
Memory Tools
D for Descriptive, Data of the Past; P for Predictive, Future's Forecast.
Acronyms
D-P
'Decipher Past' for Descriptive
'Predict Future' for Predictive.
Flash Cards
Glossary
- Descriptive Modelling
A type of modelling that analyzes past data to find patterns and understand what occurred.
- Predictive Modelling
A type of modelling focusing on predicting future outcomes based on historical data.
- Clustering
A method in descriptive modelling that groups similar data points together based on their characteristics.
- Input Features
The independent variables used in predictive modelling to make predictions or classifications.
- Target Labels
The dependent outcomes that predictive models learn to predict based on input features.
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