Recommender Systems and Deep Learning in Python from Udemy

Believe it or not, almost all online businesses today make use of recommender systems in some way or another.

What do I mean by “recommender systems”, and why are they useful?

Let’s look at the top 3 websites on the Internet, according to Alexa: Google, YouTube, and Facebook.

Recommender systems form the very foundation of these technologies.

Google: Search results

They are why Google is the most successful technology company today.

YouTube: Video dashboard

I’m sure I’m not the only one who’s accidentally spent hours on YouTube when I had more important things to do. Just how do they convince you to do that?

That’s right. Recommender systems.

Facebook: So powerful that world governments are worried that the newsfeed has too much influence on people. (Or maybe they are worried about losing their own power... hmm...)

Amazing.

This course is a big bag of tricks that make recommender systems work across multiple platforms.

We’ll look at popular news feed algorithms, like Reddit, Hacker News, and Google PageRank.

We’ll look at Bayesian recommendation techniques that are being used by a large number of media companies today.

But this course isn’t just about news feeds.

Companies like Amazon, Netflix, and Spotify have been using recommendations to suggest products, movies, and music to customers for many years now.

These algorithms have led to billions of dollars in added revenue.

So I assure you, what you’re about to learn in this course is very real, very applicable, and will have a huge impact on your business.

For those of you who like to dig deep into the theory to understand how things really work, you know this is my specialty and there will be no shortage of that in this course. We’ll be covering state of the art algorithms like matrix factorization and deep learning (making use of both supervised and unsupervised learning - Autoencoders and Restricted Boltzmann Machines), and you’ll learn a bag full of tricks to improve upon baseline results.

As a bonus, we will also look how to perform matrix factorization using big data in Spark. We will create a cluster using Amazon EC2 instances with Amazon Web Services (AWS). Most other courses and tutorials look at the MovieLens 100k dataset - that is puny. Our examples make use of MovieLens 20 million.

Whether you sell products in your e-commerce store, or you simply write a blog - you can use these techniques to show the right recommendations to your users at the right time.

If you’re an employee at a company, you can use these techniques to impress your manager and get a raise.

I’ll see you in class.

NOTE:

This course is not "officially" part of my deep learning series. It contains a strong deep learning component, but there are many concepts in the course that are totally unrelated to deep learning.

"If you can't implement it, you don't understand it"

Or as the great physicist Richard Feynman said: "What I cannot create, I do not understand".
My courses are the ONLY courses where you will learn how to implement machine learning algorithms from scratch
Other courses will teach you how to plug in your data into a library, but do you really need help with 3 lines of code?
After doing the same thing with 10 datasets, you realize you didn't learn 10 things. You learned 1 thing, and just repeated the same 3 lines of code 10 times...

Suggested Prerequisites:

For earlier sections, just know some basic arithmetic
For advanced sections, know calculus, linear algebra, and probability for a deeper understanding
Be proficient in Python and the Numpy stack (see my free course)
For the deep learning section, know the basics of using Keras
For the RBM section, know Tensorflow

WHAT ORDER SHOULD I TAKE YOUR COURSES IN?:

Check out the lecture "Machine Learning and AI Prerequisite Roadmap" (available in the FAQ of any of my courses, including the free Numpy course)

UNIQUE FEATURES

Every line of code explained in detail - email me any time if you disagree
No wasted time "typing" on the keyboard like other courses - let's be honest, nobody can really write code worth learning about in just 20 minutes from scratch
Not afraid of university-level math - get important details about algorithms that other courses leave out

What's inside

Learning objectives

Understand and implement accurate recommendations for your users using simple and state-of-the-art algorithms
Big data matrix factorization on spark with an aws ec2 cluster
Matrix factorization / svd in pure numpy

Matrix factorization in keras
Deep neural networks, residual networks, and autoencoder in keras
Restricted boltzmann machine in tensorflow

Understand and implement accurate recommendations for your users using simple and state-of-the-art algorithms
Big data matrix factorization on spark with an aws ec2 cluster
Matrix factorization / svd in pure numpy
Matrix factorization in keras
Deep neural networks, residual networks, and autoencoder in keras
Restricted boltzmann machine in tensorflow

Syllabus

Welcome

Introduction

Outline of the course

Where to get the code

How to Succeed in this Course

Simple Recommendation Systems

Section Introduction and Outline

Perspective for this Section

Basic Intuitions

Associations

Hacker News - Will you be penalized for talking about the NSA?

Reddit - Should censorship based on politics be allowed?

Problems with Average Rating & Explore vs. Exploit (part 1)

Problems with Average Rating & Explore vs. Exploit (part 2)

Bayesian Ranking (Beginner Version)

Demographics and Supervised Learning

PageRank (part 1)

PageRank (part 2)

Evaluating a Ranking

Section Conclusion

Suggestion Box

Collaborative Filtering

Collaborative Filtering Section Introduction

User-User Collaborative Filtering

Collaborative Filtering Exercise Prep

Data Preprocessing

User-User Collaborative Filtering in Code

Item-Item Collaborative Filtering

Item-Item Collaborative Filtering in Code

Collaborative Filtering Section Conclusion

Beginner Q&A

How do I Choose Which Model to Use?

How do I Solve the Cold-Start Problem?

What if I Don't Like Math or Programming?

Matrix Factorization and Deep Learning

Matrix Factorization Section Introduction

Matrix Factorization - First Steps

Matrix Factorization - Training

Matrix Factorization - Expanding Our Model

Matrix Factorization - Regularization

Matrix Factorization - Exercise Prompt

Matrix Factorization in Code

Matrix Factorization in Code - Vectorized

SVD (Singular Value Decomposition)

Probabilistic Matrix Factorization

Bayesian Matrix Factorization

Matrix Factorization in Keras (Discussion)

Matrix Factorization in Keras (Code)

Deep Neural Network (Discussion)

Deep Neural Network (Code)

Residual Learning (Discussion)

Residual Learning (Code)

Autoencoders (AutoRec) Discussion

Autoencoders (AutoRec) Code

Restricted Boltzmann Machines (RBMs) for Collaborative Filtering

RBMs for Collaborative Filtering Section Introduction

Intro to RBMs

Motivation Behind RBMs

Intractability

Neural Network Equations

Training an RBM (part 1)

Training an RBM (part 2)

Training an RBM (part 3) - Free Energy

Categorical RBM for Recommender System Ratings

RBM Code pt 1

RBM Code pt 2

RBM Code pt 3

Speeding up the RBM Code

Big Data Matrix Factorization with Spark Cluster on AWS / EC2

Big Data and Spark Section Introduction

Setting up Spark in your Local Environment

Matrix Factorization in Spark

Spark Submit

Setting up a Spark Cluster on AWS / EC2

Making Predictions in the Real World

Basics Review

(Review) Keras Discussion

(Review) Keras Neural Network in Code

(Review) Keras Functional API

(Review) How to easily convert Keras into Tensorflow 2.0 code

(Review) Confidence Intervals

(Review) Gaussian Conjugate Prior

Bayesian Ranking (Scary Version)

Bayesian Approach part 0 (Preparation)

Bayesian Approach part 1 (Optional)

Optional: Bayesian Approach part 2 (Sampling and Ranking)

Optional: Bayesian Approach part 3 (Gaussian)

Optional: Bayesian Approach part 4 (Code)

Why don't we just use a library?

Setting Up Your Environment (FAQ by Student Request)

Pre-Installation Check

Anaconda Environment Setup

How to How to install Numpy, Theano, Tensorflow, etc...

Extra Help With Python Coding for Beginners (FAQ by Student Request)

How to Code by Yourself (part 1)

How to Code by Yourself (part 2)

Proof that using Jupyter Notebook is the same as not using it

Python 2 vs Python 3

Effective Learning Strategies for Machine Learning (FAQ by Student Request)

How to Succeed in this Course (Long Version)

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Appropriate for those with a foundation in programming and some exposure to other machine learning concepts

Develops professional skills in recommendation system algorithms for industry use

Helps learners understand recommendation systems employed in prominent tech companies like Google, YouTube, and Facebook

Covers a range of widely used practical recommendation system algorithms

Includes hands-on exercises and code implementation in Python

Emphasizes deep learning and matrix factorization for recommendation systems

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Recommender Systems and Deep Learning in Python with these activities:

Read 'Introduction to Machine Learning' by Ethem Alpaydin

Show steps

This book provides a solid foundation in machine learning concepts

View Machine Learning, revised and updated edition... on Amazon

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Read each chapter carefully and take notes
Work through the practice exercises at the end of each chapter
Discuss the concepts with a friend or colleague

Review calculus and linear algebra

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These topics are important pre-requisites for the machine learning course

Browse courses on Calculus

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Re-read your notes from your calculus and linear algebra courses
Work through some practice problems from your textbooks or online resources
Take a practice quiz or exam to test your understanding

Solve machine learning practice problems on LeetCode

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Solving practice problems will help you improve your problem-solving skills

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Choose a problem to solve
Read the problem statement carefully
Design and implement a solution
Test your solution

Show all three activities

Career center

Learners who complete Recommender Systems and Deep Learning in Python will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Machine Learning Engineer

As a Machine Learning Engineer, you will help build and deploy machine learning models that solve real-world problems. This course will teach you the fundamentals of machine learning, including how to preprocess data, build and train models, and evaluate model performance. You will also learn about deep learning, a powerful technique that is used to solve a wide range of problems in computer vision, natural language processing, and other fields.

See salaries and explore the career path for Machine Learning Engineer

Data Scientist

As a Data Scientist, you will use your skills in data analysis, machine learning, and statistics to solve business problems. This course will teach you the fundamentals of data science, including how to collect, clean, and analyze data, and how to use machine learning to build models that can predict future outcomes. You will also learn about deep learning, a powerful technique that is used to solve a wide range of problems in data science.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Scientist

Software Engineer

As a Software Engineer, you will design, develop, and maintain software systems. This course will teach you the fundamentals of software engineering, including how to write clean and efficient code, and how to design and implement software systems that are scalable and reliable. You will also learn about deep learning, a powerful technique that is used to solve a wide range of problems in software engineering, such as image recognition and natural language processing.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer

Quantitative Analyst

As a Quantitative Analyst, you will use your skills in mathematics, statistics, and computer programming to analyze financial data and make investment recommendations. This course will teach you the fundamentals of quantitative finance, including how to use machine learning to build models that can predict financial markets. You will also learn about deep learning, a powerful technique that is used to solve a wide range of problems in quantitative finance.

See salaries and explore the career path for Quantitative Analyst

Product Manager

As a Product Manager, you will be responsible for the development and launch of new products. This course will teach you the fundamentals of product management, including how to identify customer needs, develop product specifications, and launch and market new products. You will also learn about deep learning, a powerful technique that is used to solve a wide range of problems in product management, such as personalization and recommendation systems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Product Manager

Business Analyst

As a Business Analyst, you will use your skills in data analysis, problem-solving, and communication to help businesses improve their performance. This course will teach you the fundamentals of business analysis, including how to collect, analyze, and interpret data, and how to make recommendations to improve business processes. You will also learn about deep learning, a powerful technique that is used to solve a wide range of problems in business analysis, such as customer segmentation and churn prediction.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst

Data Engineer

As a Data Engineer, you will be responsible for building and maintaining the infrastructure that supports data analysis and machine learning. This course will teach you the fundamentals of data engineering, including how to design and implement data pipelines, and how to manage and store data. You will also learn about deep learning, a powerful technique that is used to solve a wide range of problems in data engineering, such as data cleaning and feature engineering.

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Operations Research Analyst

As an Operations Research Analyst, you will use your skills in mathematics, statistics, and computer programming to solve complex problems in business and industry. This course will teach you the fundamentals of operations research, including how to model and solve problems using linear programming, integer programming, and other techniques. You will also learn about deep learning, a powerful technique that is used to solve a wide range of problems in operations research, such as supply chain optimization and inventory management.

See salaries and explore the career path for Operations Research Analyst

Statistician

As a Statistician, you will use your skills in data analysis, probability, and inference to solve problems in a variety of fields, such as medicine, finance, and marketing. This course will teach you the fundamentals of statistics, including how to collect, analyze, and interpret data, and how to make inferences about populations from samples. You will also learn about deep learning, a powerful technique that is used to solve a wide range of problems in statistics, such as classification and regression.

See salaries and explore the career path for Statistician

Computer Scientist

As a Computer Scientist, you will be involved in the design, development, and implementation of computer systems and applications. This course will teach you the fundamentals of computer science, including how to write algorithms, design data structures, and develop software systems. You will also learn about deep learning, a powerful technique that is used to solve a wide range of problems in computer science, such as image recognition and natural language processing.

See salaries and explore the career path for Computer Scientist

Financial Analyst

As a Financial Analyst, you will use your skills in mathematics, statistics, and finance to analyze financial data and make investment recommendations. This course will teach you the fundamentals of financial analysis, including how to value stocks, bonds, and other financial instruments. You will also learn about deep learning, a powerful technique that is used to solve a wide range of problems in financial analysis, such as risk management and portfolio optimization.

See salaries and explore the career path for Financial Analyst

Market Researcher

As a Market Researcher, you will use your skills in data analysis, statistics, and marketing to understand consumer behavior and market trends. This course will teach you the fundamentals of market research, including how to design and conduct surveys, analyze data, and make recommendations to improve marketing campaigns. You will also learn about deep learning, a powerful technique that is used to solve a wide range of problems in market research, such as customer segmentation and churn prediction.

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Actuary

As an Actuary, you will use your skills in mathematics, statistics, and finance to assess risk and develop insurance products. This course will teach you the fundamentals of actuarial science, including how to calculate insurance premiums, and how to manage risk. You will also learn about deep learning, a powerful technique that is used to solve a wide range of problems in actuarial science, such as fraud detection and claims prediction.

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Economist

As an Economist, you will use your skills in mathematics, statistics, and economics to analyze economic data and make policy recommendations. This course will teach you the fundamentals of economics, including how to model economic systems, and how to analyze economic data. You will also learn about deep learning, a powerful technique that is used to solve a wide range of problems in economics, such as forecasting economic growth and simulating economic policies.

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Operations Manager

As an Operations Manager, you will be responsible for the planning, coordination, and control of business operations. This course will teach you the fundamentals of operations management, including how to design and implement efficient business processes, and how to manage inventory and supply chains.

See salaries and explore the career path for Operations Manager