Three Mechanisms of Feature Learning in a Linear Network

Fuente: arXiv
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Auteurs principaux: Xu, Yizhou, Ziyin, Liu
Format: Preprint
Publié: 2024
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author Xu, Yizhou
Ziyin, Liu
author_facet Xu, Yizhou
Ziyin, Liu
contents Understanding the dynamics of neural networks in different width regimes is crucial for improving their training and performance. We present an exact solution for the learning dynamics of a one-hidden-layer linear network, with one-dimensional data, across any finite width, uniquely exhibiting both kernel and feature learning phases. This study marks a technical advancement by enabling the analysis of the training trajectory from any initialization and a detailed phase diagram under varying common hyperparameters such as width, layer-wise learning rates, and scales of output and initialization. We identify three novel prototype mechanisms specific to the feature learning regime: (1) learning by alignment, (2) learning by disalignment, and (3) learning by rescaling, which contrast starkly with the dynamics observed in the kernel regime. Our theoretical findings are substantiated with empirical evidence showing that these mechanisms also manifest in deep nonlinear networks handling real-world tasks, enhancing our understanding of neural network training dynamics and guiding the design of more effective learning strategies.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2401_07085
institution arXiv
publishDate 2024
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Three Mechanisms of Feature Learning in a Linear Network
Xu, Yizhou
Ziyin, Liu
Machine Learning
Artificial Intelligence
Understanding the dynamics of neural networks in different width regimes is crucial for improving their training and performance. We present an exact solution for the learning dynamics of a one-hidden-layer linear network, with one-dimensional data, across any finite width, uniquely exhibiting both kernel and feature learning phases. This study marks a technical advancement by enabling the analysis of the training trajectory from any initialization and a detailed phase diagram under varying common hyperparameters such as width, layer-wise learning rates, and scales of output and initialization. We identify three novel prototype mechanisms specific to the feature learning regime: (1) learning by alignment, (2) learning by disalignment, and (3) learning by rescaling, which contrast starkly with the dynamics observed in the kernel regime. Our theoretical findings are substantiated with empirical evidence showing that these mechanisms also manifest in deep nonlinear networks handling real-world tasks, enhancing our understanding of neural network training dynamics and guiding the design of more effective learning strategies.
title Three Mechanisms of Feature Learning in a Linear Network
topic Machine Learning
Artificial Intelligence
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2401.07085