Lesson 5: Emerging Technologies

Cloud computing means using remote servers (over the internet) to host apps and data. Services like AWS, Google Cloud, or local providers let developers deploy apps without owning physical hardware. Models include Infrastructure-as-a-Service (virtual machines), Platform-as-a-Service (managed app platforms), and Software-as-a-Service (hosted software). For example, storing files on Google Drive is SaaS. Understanding cloud models is useful: exam questions might ask you to compare IaaS vs. PaaS or identify benefits like scalability (handling many users) and cost savings.

AI (Artificial Intelligence) and ML (Machine Learning) refer to systems that learn from data. In application development, AI/ML can power features like recommendation engines or image recognition. For instance, a food delivery app could use ML to suggest restaurants based on past orders. You don't need to build models from scratch, but know basic concepts: training vs. inference, datasets, algorithms. Key idea: AI means programs can perform intelligent tasks, and ML is how they learn from data. In exams, use simple examples (spam filters, chatbots) to explain how AI/ML adds value.