Decoding Machine Learning

AI is powering modern industries across different domains, from recommendations to forecasting, making it a must-have skill. As global AI adoption accelerates, it has become necessary for professionals to understand deeply how to utilize machine learning to build more reliable solutions.

The book systematically covers foundational to advanced data science concepts through structured programming implementations. It begins with machine learning fundamentals and exploratory data analysis using NumPy and Pandas, then covers the math behind supervised algorithms like linear regression and unsupervised clustering techniques like K-means. You will master ensemble learning architectures like XGBoost, time series forecasting with FBProphet, automated hyperparameter optimization using the Optuna framework, and imbalanced data corrections via SMOTE. The book concludes with a specialized bonus chapter that breaks down the math behind multi-head self-attention mechanisms and fine-tuning strategies within large language model transformer architectures using the Hugging Face ecosystem.

By the end of this book, readers will be able to move confidently from raw data to working models. They will possess practical skills in data preparation, model building, evaluation, and optimization, giving them the confidence to solve complex, data-driven software engineering problems in real-world scenarios.

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN
● Understand core machine learning algorithms from scratch.
● Perform by-hand calculations on small, simple datasets.
● Implement models using Python and popular libraries.
● Explain algorithms in clear, plain English.
● Apply ML concepts to real-world industry scenarios.
● Build confidence for interviews and practical projects.

WHO THIS BOOK IS FOR
Ideal for students, analysts, engineers, and professionals transitioning into AI, this book requires only basic Python programming familiarity. It provides data scientists, educators, and interview candidates with clear mathematical proofs and hands-on workflows to build industry-grade machine learning skills.

1. Fundamentals of Machine Learning
2. Exploratory Data Analysis
3. Supervised Learning
4. Unsupervised Learning
5. Ensemble Learning
6. Time Series Analysis
7. Model Optimization and Hyperparameter Tuning
8. Handling Imbalanced Datasets
9. Association Rule Mining
10. Neural Networks
11. Fundamentals of Natural Language Processing
12. Recommendation Systems
13. Introduction to Large Language Models

Meetu Malhotra is a PhD researcher and data analytics principal, with over 17 years of experience in AI, machine learning, and enterprise analytics across global industries. She has a master’s degree in data science from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and is an active contributor to the community through publications, peer review, technical books, and international speaking engagements. A senior member of IEEE, she is recognized for expertise in applying AI to real-world, large-scale systems.

Rajeev Kumar is a seasoned technologist with over 20 years of Industry experience across engineering, architecture, and program management, having delivered complex technology solutions for multiple clients spanning diverse industries, including retail, finance, and healthcare. A recognized subject matter expert in AI and observability, he has spent two decades working with cutting-edge technologies, designing and scaling systems that are performant, reliable, and built for the demands of modern enterprise. An active member of IEEE and ACM and an independent researcher, he brings a rigorous, well-rounded perspective to the intersection of intelligent systems, reliability, and scalability.