Microsoft, Amazon and Google are among the leading companies in the machine learning theme, according to the latest Thematic Scorecard for the application software sector from GlobalData.

Machine learning is an application of artificial intelligence that gives computer systems the ability to learn and improve from data without being explicitly programmed.

The three companies all gained the highest Thematic score (5 out of 5) for the machine learning theme in GlobalData’s Thematic Scorecard for the application software sector. A Thematic score of 5 out of 5 indicates that this theme will significantly improve their future performance.

Also identified as dominant players in the machine learning theme are Apple, Facebook and Baidu.

GlobalData’s Thematic Scorecard ranks companies within a sector on the basis of overall leadership in the 10 themes that matter most to their industry, generating a leading indicator of future earnings growth.