Understanding Neural Networks: A Visual Guide
A neural network is just a function. Input -> Math -> Output. But the "Math" part is where people get lost.
The Neuron
Imagine a neuron as a dial. It takes inputs, multiplies them by a "weight" (how important is this input?), adds a "bias" (threshold), and fires.
The Layer
Stack 100 neurons together. Now you have a layer.
- Layer 1 finds edges.
- Layer 2 finds shapes.
- Layer 3 finds faces.
Backpropagation (The Learning)
This is the magic. The network guesses. It gets it wrong. It calculates the error. Then, it walks backward through the network, adjusting the dials slightly to reduce the error next time.
See It in Action
Words are bad at explaining this. You need to see the lights turn on. AI Buddy lets you build and train a network in your browser. Watch the weights update in real-time.