AI Dictionary
Neuron
Definition
A basic unit of a neural network that receives inputs, processes them, and passes the output to the next layer.
Deep Dive
In the context of artificial neural networks, a neuron (often called a node or unit) is the fundamental building block that mimics the function of a biological neuron. Each artificial neuron receives one or more input signals, which are typically numerical values from previous layers or the initial input data. These inputs are then multiplied by corresponding weights, summed up, and often a bias term is added. This weighted sum represents the aggregate input to the neuron.
Examples & Use Cases
- 1A node in a neural network calculating a weighted sum of inputs and applying a ReLU activation function
- 2An output neuron in a classification task producing a probability score for a specific class
- 3A hidden layer neuron detecting a specific edge or texture pattern within an image
Related Terms
Activation FunctionWeightBias