A neural network is a powerful computing system modeled on the interconnected structure of biological neural networks. It consists of a network of ‘neurons’ - computing elements that learn from their environment, pass this learning on to other neurons and modify their behavior accordingly. Each neuron can contain many connections from other neurons, allowing information to be easily exchanged. When these connections are combined, the neural network is able to recognize patterns and make sophisticated decisions. Neural networks are used for a variety of tasks such as image or speech recognition, or predicting outcomes from complex data sets.

See also: artificial intelligence, deep learning, self-organization, cognitive science