Understanding Self-Organising Map Neural Network with Python Code

Brain-inspired unsupervised machine learning through competition, cooperation and adaptation

Evolution of Self-Organising Map. Image by Author

1. Introduction

The Self-Organising Map (SOM) is an unsupervised machine learning algorithm introduced by Teuvo Kohonen in the 1980s [1]. As the name suggests, the map organises itself without any instruction from others. It is a brain-inspired model. A different area of the cerebral cortex in our brain is responsible for specific activities. A sensory input like vision, hearing, smell, and taste is mapped …

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