Machine learning is a subset of artificial intelligence that focuses on teaching machines to learn from data. Instead of being explicitly programmed to perform tasks, machine learning algorithms identify patterns in data and use these insights to make predictions or decisions. The more data these algorithms process, the better they become at performing their tasks, which is why machine learning is often described as the engine that powers AI.

There are several types of machine learning, including supervised learning, where the system is trained on labeled data, and unsupervised learning, where the system must find patterns without explicit guidance. Machine learning is widely used in areas like image recognition, recommendation systems, and autonomous vehicles, continuously advancing AI's capabilities. Understanding how machine learning works is crucial for grasping the future developments of AI technology.