AI engineering glossary · Probability
What is correlation vs causation?
Correlation vs causation: The principle that two variables moving together does not prove one causes the other; the link may come from chance, a shared driver or reverse direction. Establishing cause typically needs a randomised experiment or careful causal reasoning.
Correlation vs causation: an example
App usage and purchases are correlated, but heavy buyers may simply use the app more; only a randomised test shows whether a feature raised purchases.
Related terms
More Probability terms
- Covariance
- Cumulative distribution function
- Dependent events
- Discrete random variable
- Empirical probability
- Empirical rule
- Event
- Evidence
Where you learn it
Correlation vs causation is part of the AI Engineering Program, which teaches it with notes, a hands-on lab and an exam. The first lesson is free.