Description
Discovering answers to difficult questions has always been a challenge to mankind. Questions (especially difficult ones) consist of many, perhaps endless, variables that could contribute to an answer. In this assignment, you will visually see how an artificial neural network (A.N.N.) is similar to a human brain. If you recall, you first encountered A.N.N.s in your discussion activity this week.
A.N.N. Explained
A.N.N. was created based on the structure of the brain. It resembles the brain in the way it functions by using algorithms for adapting to new situations and learning. Much like a brain, it has the ability to learn from stimuli. A.N.N. and our brains take in information from variables and use it to learn and adapt. So how does this happen?
The brain, similar to A.N.N., consists of billions of neurons making an interconnected web for transmitting patterns of electrical signals. These neurons process information (inputs) by essentially weighing different variables. In other words, they assign levels of importance to weed out non-critical assumptions. An assumption (output) is sent out of the neuron through an axon, where it is received by receptors. Just like this process results in human intelligence, it also results in the artificial intelligence you find in A.N.N.
Before you begin, be sure to watch the following video, A.N.N. Trial and Error (4:23)
Instructions
In the chart below, you can see that A.N.N. is taking in data from sources that are highly different from each other. Similar to our brains, A.N.N. is learning. She is learning from the quantitative and qualitative data that are highlighted in the image below. A.N.N. then uses the hidden layer to guide her through a linear regression (see the hidden layer in the image below and observe the regression formula from this week’s assignment). The linear regression results in strong correlations and themes within the data.
Now that you know A.N.N. a little better, respond to each of the questions below in a Word document. Your document should be no less than two pages, excluding the title and reference page. If you happen to use an outside resource or your textbook, you must cite that resource in APA format. Be sure to include your own opinions, interpretations, recommendations, and conclusions to these questions.
What value does A.N.N. offer that human brains do not?
As you can see from the chart, you collected data from several data sources. How do you think A.N.N. helps synthesize data across several platforms and databases?
As you know, A.N.N. functions similarly to how our brains work. Why do we want to teach A.N.N. through regression analysis? (Hint: The regression analysis presents her with learning opportunities.)
Remember the E-City University leader problem from your Solving Headscratchers assignment (Navigate to the Course Project Overview for a refresher on the E-City case.)? How can the university leader use A.N.N. to make strategic decisions? Explain if you believe if A.N.N. is a better approach to solving the E-City dilemma.