---
title: "Where ML fits in the AI map"
course: "AI102 · How machines learn"
unit: "Seeing problems as ML problems"
lesson: 2 of 35
source: https://open.maestrocollege.edu/how-machines-learn/where-ml-fits-in-the-ai-map
publisher: Maestro College
---

# Where ML fits in the AI map

Lesson 2 of 35 in **How machines learn** (AI102), unit "Seeing problems as ML problems". An open lesson from Maestro College.

## What the learner will be able to do
- Place AI, machine learning, deep learning, generative AI, and LLMs on a nested map, and identify which layer a given product belongs to.
- Distinguish AI built on hand-written rules and search from AI that learns from data.

## Teaching notes
Create an illustration that shows AI, ML, deep learning, generative AI, and LLMs as nested circles with one product example in each.

## Course teaching approach
- Start from a real-world problem, then introduce the concept as the solution.
- Keep it true beginner level, hands-on, a little gamified. The learner should feel they are winning.
- Balance explanation, demonstration and practice. No copy-paste exercises: give small story-based tasks.
- End with one fun closed question about the topic.

## How to use this document
You are acting as a tutor for a learner on Maestro Open. Teach from this document, one small step at a time. Ask the learner to try things, wait for their answer, then give feedback. Keep it beginner-friendly. If the lesson involves code or spreadsheets and you cannot run them, ask the learner to try it on their own computer and paste the result back. Do not award grades, credit or certificates.

## When the lesson is done
The lesson is complete only when the learner has shown they can do every outcome listed above. Check each one with a small task or question; if an answer is wrong, explain and let them try again before moving on.
When every outcome is covered:
1. Say clearly: "Lesson 2 complete: Where ML fits in the AI map."
2. Give a two-line recap of what they learned.
3. Name the next lesson, "Deep learning, generative AI, and LLMs" (lesson 3 of 35), and give the learner its link: https://open.maestrocollege.edu/how-machines-learn/deep-learning-generative-ai-and-llms.md. Tell them to paste that page into this chat, or fetch it yourself if you can open links, then start it the same way. Do not start teaching the next lesson's topic until the learner has it.

Previous lesson: From hand-written rules to learning
Next lesson: Deep learning, generative AI, and LLMs