What is deep learning?

Deep learning is a type of machine learning that uses neural networks with many layers. “Deep” refers to the number of layers. It made it possible for computers to handle messy data such as photos, audio and free text. Image recognition, speech-to-text, translation and AI chatbots like ChatGPT all use deep learning.

Why it matters for a business

In casual use, “deep learning” mostly signals modern AI with a flag of technical seriousness, and nearly every current model is deep learning, so the term says little about any particular product. The useful distinction is the kind of data. If the input is a document, a call recording or a photograph, deep learning is what reads it. If it is a table of transactions, a classical model may be faster, cheaper and easier to explain.

Go deeper

AI vs. machine learning, and where LLMs fit

Related terms

• Neural network
• Machine learning
• Large language model (LLM)
• Computer vision

All terms, A to Z