Project description
Advancing AI learning solutions
Machine learning (ML) and AI have achieved significant advancements in recent years, gaining increasing attention for their potential in automation, research, drug discovery, micro-chemistry and other fields. However, despite these advances, ML systems often struggle to adapt to shifting data distributions, hindering their ability to pass proof-of-concept stages. The ERC-funded ConSequentIAL project aims to address this challenge by developing a continual and sequential learning AI system. This system will integrate both supervised and unsupervised learning methodologies, advanced data gathering techniques and reinforcement learning (RL) tools. The project will advance RL theory to create non-stationary RL systems and develop novel algorithmic principles, enabling better adaptability to external shifts and enhancing the flexibility and robustness of AI systems.
Objective
Machine Learning systems, while promising, lack the autonomy needed for many real-world applications beyond mere proof-of-concept stages. The key challenge lies in enabling AI to continuously adapt to shifting data distributions and proactively seek information under high uncertainty.
Fields such as drug discovery and micro-chemistry are expecting breakthroughs from AI, given the vast and intricate search spaces they deal with, coupled with expensive data acquisition. It is vital for algorithms to steer this search, assimilate new data, and strategically explore promising zones.
Reinforcement Learning (RL) offers tools and methods for agents to autonomously learn from their actions, but its efficacy has been largely confined to stationary, single-task settings.
ConSequentIAL's vision is a Continual and Sequential Learning AI that marries supervised and unsupervised learning with advanced data gathering and RL-driven discovery mechanisms.
To achieve these goals, I propose to bridge the theory of constrained and non-stationary RL to build a sound and useful mathematical formulation of the problem. On these new solid grounds, I develop novel algorithmic principles that allow the agent to detect and respond to external shifts, while remaining aware of her own impact on the system she interacts with. I address the memory-versus-stability trade-off central to continual learning by enabling agents to actively plan their skill acquisition in accordance with their long-term goals.
The ambition of this project is to position AI to tackle the consequential scientific challenges ahead.
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.
- natural sciences computer and information sciences artificial intelligence machine learning supervised learning
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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)
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.
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.
90461 NUREMBERG
Germany
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.