Technical

Machine Learning

AI algorithms that improve through experience.

How the laws define this

Every cited authority establishes that machine learning centers on algorithms or computational techniques that enable systems to learn from data or experience. Most sources, including the Draft Artificial Intelligence Responsible Use Principles, IAEA Guidance on AI Applications in Nuclear Safety and Security, and Regulations for Use of Artificial Intelligence in Courts, 2026, explicitly define it as a subset or branch of artificial intelligence designed to make predictions, identify patterns, or execute decisions. The primary divergence lies in how these instruments describe the autonomy of the learning process. The N.C. State Government Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence Framework, the Draft Artificial Intelligence Responsible Use Principles, and the Regulations for Use of Artificial Intelligence in Courts, 2026 highlight that systems learn or act without being explicitly programmed. In contrast, the New York FY2025 Budget - Deepfakes Provisions (Election Law Amendment) frames this operational freedom as making decisions with minimal human intervention, while ISO/IEC standards omit programming or human intervention criteria.

Synthesised from the 8 statutory definitions below. Each one is quoted in full, with its source.

How jurisdictions differ

What is distinctive in each definition, binding law in force first.

Jurisdiction	Instrument	Status	What is distinctive
New York, United States	New York FY2025 Budget - Deepfakes Provisions (Election Law Amendment)	In Force	Adds emphasis on enabling systems to identify patterns and make decisions with minimal human intervention.
India	Regulations for Use of Artificial Intelligence in Courts, 2026	In Force	Adds focus on training algorithms to enable systems to make predictions or take actions without explicit programming.
North Carolina, United States	North Carolina State Government Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence Framework	In Force	Adds description of algorithms building a model from training data to perform specific tasks like prediction or decision-making.
ISO	ISO/IEC 22989:2022 - Information technology — Artificial intelligence — Concepts and terminology	In Force	Adds specification that it is a process using computational techniques to improve performance through experience, typically from data.
IAEA	Considerations for Deploying Artificial Intelligence Applications in the Nuclear Power Industry	In Force	Limits machine learning to technologies that learn to complete a particular task based on large amounts of data.
British Columbia, Canada	Draft Artificial Intelligence Responsible Use Principles	Draft	Adds details on automatically learning from experience using algorithms that build models from training data to make predictions or decisions.
ISO	ISO/IEC 23053:2022 - Framework for Artificial Intelligence (AI) Systems Using Machine Learning (ML)	In Force	Adds that it employs computational techniques to enable systems to learn from data or experiences.
ISO	ISO/IEC 5338:2023 — Information technology — Artificial intelligence — AI system life cycle processes	In Force	Limits to foundational technology involving algorithms that allow AI systems to learn from data, without broader performance details.

What it triggers

In New York, political deepfakes depicting candidates or officials falsely mandate prominent disclaimers.source
India's Regulations for Use of Artificial Intelligence in Courts, 2026 prohibit autonomous judicial decisions by AI.
The North Carolina State Government Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence Framework guides state agencies in ethical deployment and risk management of AI.source

Definitions (8)

Machine Learning is the study or application of computer algorithms that improve automatically through experience. These algorithms build a model based on training data to perform a specific task, such as aiding in prediction or decision-making processes, without necessarily being explicitly programmed to do so.

N.C. State Government Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence FrameworkDefinition 1 of 8

Machine Learning is a subset of AI that enables systems to automatically learn and improve from experience without being explicitly programmed. It involves algorithms that build a model from sample data, known as 'training data', to make predictions or decisions.

Draft Artificial Intelligence Responsible Use PrinciplesDefinition 2 of 8

A process where computational techniques enable a system to improve its performance through experience, typically by learning from data.

ISO/IEC 22989:2022 - Information technology — Artificial intelligence — Concepts and terminologyDefinition 3 of 8

A branch of AI that employs computational techniques to enable systems to learn from data or experiences.

ISO/IEC 23053:2022 - Framework for Artificial Intelligence (AI) Systems Using Machine Learning (ML)Definition 4 of 8

A subset of artificial intelligence that enables systems to learn from data, identify patterns, and make decisions with minimal human intervention.

New York FY2025 Budget - Deepfakes Provisions (Election Law Amendment)Definition 5 of 8

Machine Learning (ML) refers to technologies that learn how to complete a particular task based on large amounts of data, a key sub-field of Artificial Intelligence.

IAEA Guidance on AI Applications in Nuclear Safety and SecurityDefinition 6 of 8

A foundational technology for AI systems addressed by the standard, involving algorithms that allow systems to learn from data.

ISO/IEC 5338:2023 - Information technology — Artificial intelligence — AI system life cycle processesDefinition 7 of 8

A subset of artificial intelligence that involves training algorithms on data to enable systems to learn patterns, make predictions, or take actions without explicit programming.

Regulations for Use of Artificial Intelligence in Courts, 2026Definition 8 of 8

Not to be confused with

Neural Network

Neural network is a specific layered computational model for learning patterns, while machine learning is the broader field encompassing various algorithms and techniques.

learning systems

Learning systems are computational systems that adapt behavior over time using data and algorithms, whereas machine learning specifically refers to algorithms improving through experience, typically from data.

Questions and answers

What disclaimers are required for political deepfakes in New York?

New York's FY2025 Budget mandates prominent disclaimers on political deepfakes depicting candidates or officials falsely to enhance transparency and prevent voter deception.

What restrictions apply to AI in Indian courts?

India's 2026 Regulations establish an ethical framework ensuring human oversight, fundamental rights protection, and transparency while prohibiting autonomous judicial decisions.

What does North Carolina's AI framework cover?

The North Carolina State Government Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence Framework guides state agencies in ethical deployment and risk management of AI.