From ancient times what we now call mathematical models have been used to predict the arrival of seasons, comet returns, and eclipses. With sophisticated mathematics, good data gathering, and modern computers we can now predict things like the tides and the trajectories of interplanetary probes with considerable accuracy. We have also made progress in predicting weather.

For some phenomena, for example earthquakes, we are still seeking to develop predictive models.

As we heard in Episode 2 of this podcast, AI systems can be described as making predictions based on models, models that are trained on vast collections of data. These models seem intuitively different from the others. However, some truths hold for both kinds of models, in particular while "all models are wrong, some models are useful," as is explained by our guest in this episode in which we explore the world of models with Dr Erica Thompson.