Difference Between ANN vs CNN vs RNN

Types of Neural Networks Explained in Detail

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6 min readDec 29, 2022
Difference Between ANN vs CNN vs RNN
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Neural networks are a type of machine learning algorithm that are inspired by the way the human brain works. They are used to recognize patterns and make decisions based on input data. Although there are several different types of neural networks, and each has its own unique characteristics and applications. Let’s discuss the three most prominent ones, starting with,

TLDR; Don’t have time to read? Here’s a video to help you understand the difference between ANN vs CNN vs RNN in detail.

What is Artificial Neural Network in Machine Learning

An artificial neural network (or ANN) is a type of machine learning algorithm that is inspired by the way the human brain works. It is made up of a network of artificial “neurons,” which are inspired by the way biological neurons in the brain work.

The basic unit of an artificial neural network is the artificial neuron, also known as a “perceptron.” A perceptron takes in a number of inputs, processes them using a set of weights, and produces a single output. The weights of a perceptron determine how much importance each input should be given. For example, a perceptron that is trying to identify whether an image contains a cat might give more weight to the presence of whiskers and less weight to the color of the background.

What is Artificial Neural Network (or ANN)
Credit — ScienceDirect

An artificial neural network is made up of multiple layers of perceptrons. The input layer receives the input data, and the output layer produces the final output. In between the input and output layers, there are one or more hidden layers, which process the input data and pass it on to the output layer.

Artificial neural networks are trained using a process called “backpropagation.” This involves adjusting the weights of the perceptrons based on the error between the predicted output and the actual output. The goal is to minimize this error as much as possible, so that the neural network can make accurate predictions.

Advantages of ANN

Artificial neural networks have a number of advantages over other machine learning algorithms. They are able to handle large amounts of data and can learn to recognize patterns and relationships in data that are not immediately obvious. They are also able to learn and adapt over time, which makes them particularly well-suited for tasks that involve learning from experience.

Overall, artificial neural networks are a powerful tool for a wide range of tasks, including image and speech recognition, natural language processing, and even playing games like chess and Go. As such, they have become an important part of the field of machine learning and have many real-world applications.

What is Convolutional Neural Network in Machine Learning

Convolutional neural networks (or CNN) are a type of neural network that is particularly well-suited for processing and analyzing images. They are used in a wide range of applications, including image and video classification, object detection, and image generation.

A convolutional neural network is made up of multiple layers of artificial neurons, or “perceptrons,” which process the input data and pass it on to the next layer. The key difference between a CNN and other types of neural networks is that it uses a process called “convolution” to extract features from the input data.

In a convolutional layer, the input data is divided into small “kernels,” or squares, which are then processed using a set of weights. These weights are adjusted during the training process to identify patterns and features in the input data. The output of the convolutional layer is a set of “feature maps,” which represent the presence of different features in the input data.

What is Convolutional Neural Network (or CNN)
Credit — Developers Breach

For example, a CNN might be trained to recognize patterns in an image that indicate the presence of a cat. It might use a series of convolutional layers to identify features such as whiskers, ears, and a tail, and combine these features to make a prediction about the presence of a cat.

After the convolutional layers, a CNN typically includes one or more fully-connected layers, which process the feature maps and produce the final output.

Advantages of CNN

CNNs have a number of advantages over other types of neural networks. They are able to handle large amounts of data and can learn to recognize patterns and relationships in data that are not immediately obvious. They are also able to learn and adapt over time, which makes them particularly well-suited for tasks that involve learning from experience.

Overall, CNNs are a powerful tool for a wide range of tasks, including image and video classification, object detection, and image generation. As such, they have become an important part of the field of machine learning and have many real-world applications.

What is a Recurrent Neural Network in Machine Learning

A recurrent neural network (or RNN) is a type of neural network that is designed to process sequential data, such as time series data or natural language. It has a feedback loop, which allows it to retain information from previous time steps and use it to inform its decisions in the current time step.

An RNN is made up of a series of “cells,” which process the input data and produce an output. Each cell takes in an input and a “hidden state,” which represents the information from the previous time step. The cell processes the input and hidden state using a set of weights, and produces an output and a new hidden state. This new hidden state is passed on to the next cell in the sequence, along with the next input.

What is a Recurrent Neural Network (or RNN)
Credit — Simplilearn

For example, an RNN might be used to process a sequence of words in a sentence and predict the next word in the sequence. It would process each word in the sequence, using the hidden state to retain information about the words that came before it. This would allow the RNN to take into account the context and meaning of the words, rather than just processing them individually.

Advantages of RNN

RNNs have a number of advantages over other types of neural networks. They are able to handle sequential data, which makes them particularly well-suited for tasks such as language translation and text generation. They are also able to learn and adapt over time, which makes them particularly well-suited for tasks that involve learning from experience.

Overall, RNNs are a powerful tool for a wide range of tasks, including language translation, text generation, and speech recognition. As such, they have become an important part of the field of machine learning and have many real-world applications.

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