Simple Machine Learning https://simple-machine-learning.netlify.app A field journal on machine learning. en-us Welcome to Simple Machine Learning https://simple-machine-learning.netlify.app/posts/welcome-to-simple-machine-learning/ https://simple-machine-learning.netlify.app/posts/welcome-to-simple-machine-learning/ Wed, 29 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMT Why this journal exists, and what to expect from each issue. Part 1 — What AI actually is (and isn't) https://simple-machine-learning.netlify.app/posts/stupid-simple-1-what-ai-actually-is/ https://simple-machine-learning.netlify.app/posts/stupid-simple-1-what-ai-actually-is/ Tue, 28 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMT Forget the sci-fi. AI is pattern-spotting, dressed in a confident voice. Part 2 — How a model 'learns' (the kid-with-flashcards version) https://simple-machine-learning.netlify.app/posts/stupid-simple-2-how-models-learn/ https://simple-machine-learning.netlify.app/posts/stupid-simple-2-how-models-learn/ Mon, 27 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMT Training is just guessing, getting graded, and adjusting. A million billion times. Part 3 — Why training data is everything https://simple-machine-learning.netlify.app/posts/stupid-simple-3-data-is-everything/ https://simple-machine-learning.netlify.app/posts/stupid-simple-3-data-is-everything/ Sun, 26 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMT A model is a mirror of what it was shown. Show it junk, get junk. There is no shortcut. Part 4 — Hallucinations: why AI lies to you, politely https://simple-machine-learning.netlify.app/posts/stupid-simple-4-hallucinations/ https://simple-machine-learning.netlify.app/posts/stupid-simple-4-hallucinations/ Sat, 25 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMT The model is not lying. It is doing the only thing it knows how to do — guessing — when it should be saying 'I don't know.' Part 5 — How to actually use AI without losing your mind https://simple-machine-learning.netlify.app/posts/stupid-simple-5-using-ai-without-losing-your-mind/ https://simple-machine-learning.netlify.app/posts/stupid-simple-5-using-ai-without-losing-your-mind/ Fri, 24 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMT A practical playbook. Use AI like a fast intern, not an oracle. Verify the load-bearing bits. Gradient Descent, By Hand https://simple-machine-learning.netlify.app/posts/gradient-descent-by-hand/ https://simple-machine-learning.netlify.app/posts/gradient-descent-by-hand/ Wed, 22 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMT Working a single step of gradient descent on paper, with the dignity it deserves. The Bias–Variance Bargain https://simple-machine-learning.netlify.app/posts/the-bias-variance-bargain/ https://simple-machine-learning.netlify.app/posts/the-bias-variance-bargain/ Wed, 15 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMT Every model trades two kinds of error. The trick is knowing which one you're paying for.