A neural network is a type of computer system designed to recognize patterns and make decisions based on data. It is inspired by the way the human brain works, consisting of interconnected nodes, or "neurons," that process information. These networks learn from examples, adjusting their connections to improve accuracy over time. Neural networks are commonly used in various applications, such as image recognition, natural language processing, and self-driving cars. They can analyze large amounts of data quickly, making them valuable tools in fields like artificial intelligence and machine learning.