The fields of data science and machine learning are related to the use of data to improve the development of new products, services, infrastructure systems, and other things. Both correspond to highly sought-after and lucrative job options.

Similar to how squares and rectangles are related to one another but not the other way around. Machine learning is the square that is its entity, whereas data science is the all-encompassing rectangle. Data scientists frequently employ both in their work, and practically every industry quickly embraces them.

Either job path has the potential to pay off well. US News placed data scientists third in technology careers, while the best job for 2019 was a machine learning engineer. Your knowledge will be helpful in both fields if you learn programming and statistical concepts.

Continue reading to find out how data science and machine learning are different.

Data science vs machine learning: what’s the difference?

Data science and machine learning are related but distinct fields and often overlap in various ways.

Data science is a broad field involving statistical and computational techniques to extract insights and knowledge from data. It consists of collecting, cleaning, and analysing data, as well as visualising and communicating the analysis results. Data scientists use various tools and techniques to work with data, including machine learning algorithms.

Machine learning is a subfield of artificial intelligence that uses algorithms and statistical models to allow computers to learn and make predictions or decisions without being explicitly programmed. Machine learning algorithms learn from data by identifying patterns and relationships and using those patterns to make predictions or decisions.

In summary, data science involves using various tools and techniques to extract insights from data. In contrast, machine learning involves using algorithms to allow computers to learn and make predictions or decisions based on data.

What is data science?

Data science is a field that involves using statistical and computational techniques to extract insights and knowledge from data. It consists of collecting, cleaning, and analysing data, as well as visualising and communicating the analysis results.

Data scientists use various tools and techniques to work with data, including programming languages such as Python and R, statistical analysis software, and machine learning algorithms. They use these tools to analyse data from various sources, such as databases, sensors, and social media platforms, and to extract valuable insights that can be used to inform decision-making or solve real-world problems.

Some of the critical tasks that data scientists may perform include:

• Collecting and cleaning data from various sources
• Exploring and visualising data to identify patterns and trends
• Building and statistical testing models to make predictions or infer relationships between variables
• Communicating findings and results to stakeholders through reports, visualisations, and presentations

Data science is a multidisciplinary field that combines elements of computer science, statistics, and domain expertise. It is a rapidly growing field with many applications in various industries, including finance, healthcare, e-commerce, and social media.

What is machine Learning?

Machine learning is a subfield of artificial intelligence that uses algorithms and statistical models to allow computers to learn and make predictions or decisions without being explicitly programmed. Machine learning algorithms learn from data by identifying patterns and relationships and using those patterns to make predictions or decisions.

There are several different types of machine learning, including:

• Supervised learning: In supervised learning, the algorithm is trained on labelled data, where the correct output is provided for each example in the training set. The algorithm learns to predict the right outcome for new standards based on the patterns it has learned from the training data.
• Unsupervised learning: The algorithm is not given any labelled training examples in unsupervised learning. Instead, it must find patterns and relationships in the data independently.
• Reinforcement learning: In reinforcement learning, the algorithm learns through trial and error, receiving rewards for actions that lead to the desired outcome.

Machine learning is widely used in various applications, such as image and speech recognition, natural language processing, and recommendation systems. It has the potential to automate and improve many tasks that currently require human intervention, and it is an active area of research and development in the field of artificial intelligence.

Data science: Skills required

Some technical skills typically required for data science include the following:

Programming skills: Data scientists often use programming languages such as Python and R to work with data and build models.

Statistical analysis: Data scientists should have a strong understanding of statistical concepts and be able to use statistical software to analyse data and build models.

Data visualisation: Data scientists should be able to use tools such as Matplotlib, Seaborn, and Tableau to visualise and communicate the results of their analysis.

Machine learning: Many data scientists also have skills in machine learning, which involves using algorithms and statistical models to allow computers to learn and make predictions or decisions based on data.

In addition to these technical skills, data scientists should also have strong problem-solving and communication skills, as they will often be working on complex problems and must be able to explain their findings and recommendations to a non-technical audience.

Data scientists also benefit from domain expertise in a specific industry or field, as this helps them better understand the data they are working with and the business problems they are trying to solve.

Machine Learning: Skills Required

Some technical skills typically required for machine learning include the following:

Programming skills: Machine learning engineers often use programming languages such as Python, R, and Java to build and train models.

Machine learning: Machine learning engineers should have a strong understanding of machine learning algorithms and be able to use tools such as sci-kit-learn, TensorFlow, and PyTorch to build and train models.

Statistical analysis: Machine learning engineers should have a strong understanding of statistical concepts and be able to use statistical software to analyse data and build models.

Data visualisation: Machine learning engineers should be able to use tools such as Matplotlib, Seaborn, and Tableau to visualise and communicate the results of their analysis.

In addition to these technical skills, machine learning engineers should also have strong problem-solving and communication skills, as they will often be working on complex problems and must be able to explain their findings and recommendations to a non-technical audience.

Machine learning engineers may also benefit from domain expertise in a specific industry or field, as this can help them better understand the data they are working with and the business problems they are trying to solve.

A career in Data Science

Data scientists may work in various industries, including finance, healthcare, e-commerce, and social media. They may be responsible for collecting and cleaning data, exploring and visualising data to identify patterns and trends, building and testing statistical models, and communicating findings and results to stakeholders.

To pursue a career in data science, you will typically need at least a bachelor's degree in a field such as a computer science, statistics, or mathematics. Many data scientists also have advanced degrees, such as a master's or PhD. In addition to formal education, data scientists must have strong programming and statistical analysis skills and good problem-solving and communication skills.

Data scientists may work in various settings, including companies, government agencies, and academic institutions. They may work as part of a team or individually and may have a variety of job titles, such as data scientist, data analyst, or data engineer.

Many resources are available for those interested in pursuing a career in data science, including online courses, boot camps, and professional development programs. It can also be helpful to get involved in data science communities and to work on personal projects to gain practical experience and build a portfolio.

A career in Machine Learning

Machine learning engineers may work in various industries, including finance, healthcare, e-commerce, and social media. They may be responsible for collecting and cleaning data, exploring and visualising data to identify patterns and trends, building and testing machine learning models, and implementing those models in real-world applications.

To pursue a career in machine learning, you will typically need at least a bachelor's degree in a field such as a computer science, statistics, or mathematics. Many machine learning engineers also have advanced degrees, such as a master's or PhD. In addition to formal education, machine-learning engineers must have strong programming and machine-learning skills and good problem-solving and communication skills.

Machine learning engineers may work in various settings, including companies, government agencies, and academic institutions. They may work as part of a team or individually and may have a variety of job titles, such as machine learning engineer, data scientist, or data engineer.

Many resources are available for those interested in pursuing a career in machine learning, including online courses, boot camps, and professional development programs. It can also be helpful to get involved in machine learning communities and to work on personal projects to gain practical experience and build a portfolio.