Project description
Expanding our understanding of generalisation in learning theory
A key challenge in machine learning and AI is understanding generalisation: how a learning agent infers about a population from limited data. Currently, the best practice is to use overparameterised models on small datasets, which surprisingly yield impressive results, despite contradicting traditional wisdom. The ERC-funded FoG project will expand and deepen our understanding of this practice and the role of such algorithms in learning. The project will research two mathematical models of learning that could help explain this critical problem. The first model will be stochastic convex optimisation, and the second will address the modern task of synthetic data generation, which lies between the key concepts of generalisation and memorisation.
Objective
Arguably, the most crucial objective of Learning Theory is to understand the basic notion of generalization: How can a learning agent infer from a finite amount of data to the whole population? Today's learning algorithms are poorly understood from that perspective. In particular, best practices, such as using highly overparameterized models to fit relatively few data, seem to be in almost contradiction to common wisdom, and classical models of learning seem to be incapable of explaining the impressive success of such algorithms. The objective of this proposal is to understand generalization in overparameterized models and understand the role of algorithms in learning. Toward this task, I will consider two mathematical models of learning that shed light on this fundamental problem.
The first model is the well-studied, yet only seemingly well-understood, model of Stochastic Convex optimization. My investigations, so far, provided a new picture that is much more complex than was previously known or assumed, regarding fundamental notions such as regularization, inductive bias as well as stability. These works show that even in this, simplistic setup of learning, understanding such fundamental principles may be a highly ambitious task. On the other hand, given the simplicity of the model, it seems that such an understanding is a prerequisite to any future model that will explain modern Machine Learning algorithms.
The second model considers a modern task of synthetic data generation. Synthetic data generation serves as an ideal model to further study the tension between concepts such as generalization and memorization. Here we with a challenge to model the question of generalization, and answer fundamental questions such as: when is synthetic data original and when is it a copy of the empirical data?
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
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Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
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Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-ERC - HORIZON ERC Grants
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Call for proposal
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Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2023-STG
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69978 Tel Aviv
Israel
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