What is machine learning?

Machine learning is indeed a subset of artificial intelligence that enables systems to learn from data. This process involves using algorithms and statistical models to analyze and draw inferences from patterns within the data. The primary goal is for machines to improve their performance on a specific task over time without being explicitly programmed for every situation.

By leveraging data, machine learning systems can identify trends, make predictions, and adapt their responses based on new information. This is a fundamental aspect of many modern applications, from recommendation systems to image recognition, and is crucial for the development of intelligent behaviors in automated systems.

The other options describe concepts that are either unrelated to machine learning or do not capture its essence. The focus on learning and adaptation from data is what distinctly characterizes machine learning within the broader scope of artificial intelligence.