CNN

What Does CNN Mean?

The Quick Answer

CNN means "Cable News Network" and "Convolutional Neural Networks."

Cable News Network

CNN is widely recognized as the initials of "Cable News Network," an influential American news channel headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. Launched in 1980 by media proprietor Ted Turner, CNN was the first 24-hour all-news network. Its continuous news coverage, often from live locations, set a new standard for news reporting. CNN has played a significant role in shaping global news coverage, offering various programs, analyses, and debates. Its international counterpart, CNN International, extends its reach worldwide. Over the years, CNN has faced both praise and criticism for its editorial decisions, but it remains a prominent and respected source of news and information.

Convolutional Neural Networks

When referring to artificial intelligence (AI), CNN means "Convolutional Neural Network." In this context, CNNs are a specific type of Deep Neural Network (DNN) used for image recognition. CNNs work through a series of steps:

Convolutional Layers: Apply filters to detect features like edges in the image.
Activation Function: Adds complexity to recognize patterns.
Pooling Layers: Reduce the image size but keep essential details.
Fully Connected Layers: Link all pieces of information together.
Output Layer: Provides the final answer, like identifying an object in the image.

CNNs help computers see and understand pictures by processing them through these layers. Check out our comprehensive glossary of AI terms.

Image for CNN

When I write CNN, I mean this:

"Cable News Network"

Summary of Key Points for the First Definition

"Cable News Network" is, by far, the most common meaning for CNN when it is used in a text. (Bear in mind that it could have another meaning if used in a different context.)