How does an artificial neural network work?

Artificial neural networks consist of a series of mathematical models referred to as algorithms, that are designed to recognize patterns. Moreover artificial neural networks have millions of artificial neurons called units that are arranged in a series of layers. From this the input layer receives a large amount of numerical data from the outside world. This is the data that the network focuses on to process or learn about. From the input unit, the data goes through one or more hidden units and it will transform the input into something the output unit can use.