A neural network is a computational model inspired by the way the human brain processes information. It consists of interconnected nodes, or "neurons," organized in layers. Each neuron receives input, processes it, and passes the output to the next layer. This structure allows neural networks to learn patterns and make predictions based on data. Neural networks are widely used in various applications, including image recognition, natural language processing, and game playing. They can improve their performance over time by adjusting the connections between neurons through a process called training, which involves using large datasets to refine their accuracy.