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1.1.2. The AI Hierarchy: AI → ML → Deep Learning → Transformers
AI concepts nest inside each other like Russian dolls. Understanding this hierarchy prevents confusion when the exam uses these terms.
The following diagram illustrates how these concepts relate:
The following table clarifies each level of the hierarchy:
| Level | Definition | Key Characteristic |
|---|---|---|
| Artificial Intelligence | Any system that mimics human intelligence | Broadest category—includes rule-based systems |
| Machine Learning | AI that learns patterns from data | Improves with more data, no explicit programming |
| Deep Learning | ML using neural networks with many layers | Handles complex patterns in images, text, audio |
| Transformers | Deep learning architecture using attention | Powers modern language models (GPT, BERT) |
Written byAlvin Varughese
Founder•15 professional certifications