Project description
Simplifying complexity in machine learning
Machine learning models are becoming more complex to advance fields such as healthcare, finance and climate science. However, current models are resource-heavy, difficult to access and hard to interpret, which limit their potential. The ERC-funded BeME project will focus on developing simpler, more efficient models that remain powerful yet easy to understand. Using techniques from statistical physics, disordered systems and computational physics, researchers will create tools that uncover data patterns, work well even with limited information and reduce training costs. Applications in neuroscience, bioinformatics and turbulence modelling will demonstrate the practical impact of these innovations. The proposed work seeks to reshape the future of machine learning, making it more accessible and effective for a wider range of challenges.
Objective
Machine learning is revolutionizing science and society, enabling transformative breakthroughs such as predicting protein structures, simulating many body quantum systems, and redefining entire fields like healthcare, finance, or climate modeling. Yet, this rapid progress comes at a cost: the unprecedented scale and complexity of state-of-the-art models make them resource-intensive, inaccessible, and often opaque. These challenges limit their potential, hindering our ability to understand, optimize, and deploy them responsibly. To unlock the full power of machine learning, we must reimagine its foundations.
This project challenges the 'bigger is better' paradigm in machine learning by proposing an alternative: the development of simpler, more efficient generative models that can handle the complexity of the real world while remaining analytically interpretable. Using techniques from statistical physics, disordered systems and computational physics, the project aims to uncover how these models encode patterns, address learning challenges and reduce training costs without sacrificing performance or expressiveness. Crucially, these models will be designed to extract meaningful insights from general-purpose data sets, perform reliably in data-scarce scenarios and accelerate simulations in complex systems.
By developing a new generation of inference algorithms and showcasing their effectiveness through three proof-of-concept applications in neuroscience, bioinformatics, and turbulence modeling, this research aims to significantly expand the toolbox for data-driven discovery. Beyond tackling practical challenges, it seeks to advance our fundamental understanding of unsupervised learning mechanisms while prioritizing sustainability, transparency, and inclusivity. This project reimagines machine learning as a responsible and accessible tool to drive scientific and societal progress.
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.
This project's classification has been human-validated.
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.
This project's classification has been human-validated.
- natural sciences computer and information sciences artificial intelligence machine learning unsupervised learning
- natural sciences computer and information sciences artificial intelligence generative artificial intelligence
- natural sciences physical sciences classical mechanics statistical mechanics
- natural sciences computer and information sciences artificial intelligence machine learning deep learning
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.
-
HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
See all projects funded under this programme
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
See all projects funded under this funding scheme
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-2025-COG
See all projects funded under this callHost institution
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.
28040 Madrid
Spain
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.