An unsupervised neural network that maps complex data onto a simple grid.
SOM is like a school cafeteria at lunch. Kids with the same vibe somehow find the same tables.
It turns many-detail data into a flat map. Similar items land near each other.
Unsupervised Learning
SOM learns without labels and finds patterns by itself.
Dim. Reduction
SOM maps complex data onto a simple grid.
Clustering
SOM puts similar items in nearby spots.
Neural-network
SOM is a neural network with competing neurons.