Project description
Pros and cons of deep learning technology
The emergence of novel deep learning (DL) and machine learning technologies has led to their widespread adoption across scientific fields and institutions, becoming a central part of new research efforts. However, despite their increasing use, little is known about the potential benefits and risks of widespread DL adoption, particularly in the scientific and educational sectors. The ERC-funded TOY project aims to explore the epistemic strengths, limitations and dangers of DL models and technology in a society increasingly dependent on them. It will accomplish this by studying DL models as ‘toy models’, developing new theories and conducting in-depth analyses of their effects and interdependencies.
Objective
"Deep learning (DL) models are encroaching on nearly all our knowledge institutions. Ever more scientific fields—from medical science to fundamental physics—are turning to DL to solve long-standing problems or make new discoveries. At the same time, DL is used across society to inform and provide knowledge. We urgently need to evaluate the potentials and dangers of adopting DL for epistemic purposes, across science and society. This project uncovers the epistemic strengths and limits of DL models that are becoming the single most way we are structuring all our knowledge, and it does so by starting with an innovative hypothesis: that DL models are toy models.
A toy model is a type of highly idealized model that greatly distorts the gritty details of the real world. Every scientific domain has their own toy models that are used to ""play around"" with different features, gaining insight into complex phenomena. Conceptualizing DL models as toy models exposes the epistemic benefits of DL, but also the enormous risk of overreliance. Since toy models are so divorced from the real world, how do we know they are not leading us astray? TOY addresses this fundamental issue. TOY 1) identifies interlocking model puzzles that face DL models and toy models alike, 2) develops a theory of DL (toy) models in science and society based on the function of their idealizations and 3) develops a philosophical theory for evaluating the epistemic value of DL (toy) models across science and society. In so doing, TOY solves existing problems, answers open questions, and identifies new challenges in philosophy of science, on the nature and epistemic value of idealization and toy models; in philosophy of ML, by looking beyond DL opacity and developing a philosophical method for evaluating the epistemic value of DL models; and by bringing siloed debates in ethics of AI together with philosophy of science, providing necessary guidance on the appropriate use and trustworthiness of DL in society."
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
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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
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.
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
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2024-STG
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
3584 CS Utrecht
Netherlands
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.