How is data mining related to artificial intelligence?

In computer science, data mining is the process of discovering useful patterns and relationships within large datasets. It is fundamentally related to artificial intelligence (AI) because it incorporates various AI tools and methodologies to perform these complex analyses.1

Specifically, data mining adapts techniques developed in AI—such as machine learning, neural networks, expert systems, and genetic algorithms—to facilitate knowledge discovery. While traditional statistical approaches were often insufficient for the massive data warehouses that emerged in the 1980s, these AI-driven methods allowed computers to identify patterns and make data-based decisions autonomously.123

It is important to note that while machine learning is a subset of AI and is frequently used to improve data mining algorithms, the two fields are distinct. Data mining relies on these AI-derived technologies to analyze information across diverse sectors, including finance, scientific research, and security, enabling systems to adapt and improve their effectiveness over time.312