Embedding generalization within the learning dynamics: An approach based-on sample path large deviation theory

Fuente: arXiv
Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Befekadu, Getachew K.
Format: Preprint
Published: 2024
Subjects:
Online Access:
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1866911977140387840
author Befekadu, Getachew K.
author_facet Befekadu, Getachew K.
contents We consider a typical learning problem of point estimations for modeling of nonlinear functions or dynamical systems in which generalization, i.e., verifying a given learned model, can be embedded as an integral part of the learning process or dynamics. In particular, we consider an empirical risk minimization based learning problem that exploits gradient methods from continuous-time perspective with small random perturbations, which is guided by the training dataset loss. Here, we provide an asymptotic probability estimate in the small noise limit based-on the Freidlin-Wentzell theory of large deviations, when the sample path of the random process corresponding to the randomly perturbed gradient dynamical system hits a certain target set, i.e., a rare event, when the latter is specified by the testing dataset loss landscape. Interestingly, the proposed framework can be viewed as one way of improving generalization and robustness in learning problems that provides new insights leading to optimal point estimates which is guided by training data loss, while, at the same time, the learning dynamics has an access to the testing dataset loss landscape in some form of future achievable or anticipated target goal. Moreover, as a by-product, we establish a connection with optimal control problem, where the target set, i.e., the rare event, is considered as the desired outcome or achievable target goal for a certain optimal control problem, for which we also provide a verification result reinforcing the rationale behind the proposed framework. Finally, we present a computational algorithm that solves the corresponding variational problem leading to an optimal point estimates and, as part of this work, we also present some numerical results for a typical case of nonlinear regression problem.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2408_02167
institution arXiv
publishDate 2024
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Embedding generalization within the learning dynamics: An approach based-on sample path large deviation theory
Befekadu, Getachew K.
Optimization and Control
Machine Learning
We consider a typical learning problem of point estimations for modeling of nonlinear functions or dynamical systems in which generalization, i.e., verifying a given learned model, can be embedded as an integral part of the learning process or dynamics. In particular, we consider an empirical risk minimization based learning problem that exploits gradient methods from continuous-time perspective with small random perturbations, which is guided by the training dataset loss. Here, we provide an asymptotic probability estimate in the small noise limit based-on the Freidlin-Wentzell theory of large deviations, when the sample path of the random process corresponding to the randomly perturbed gradient dynamical system hits a certain target set, i.e., a rare event, when the latter is specified by the testing dataset loss landscape. Interestingly, the proposed framework can be viewed as one way of improving generalization and robustness in learning problems that provides new insights leading to optimal point estimates which is guided by training data loss, while, at the same time, the learning dynamics has an access to the testing dataset loss landscape in some form of future achievable or anticipated target goal. Moreover, as a by-product, we establish a connection with optimal control problem, where the target set, i.e., the rare event, is considered as the desired outcome or achievable target goal for a certain optimal control problem, for which we also provide a verification result reinforcing the rationale behind the proposed framework. Finally, we present a computational algorithm that solves the corresponding variational problem leading to an optimal point estimates and, as part of this work, we also present some numerical results for a typical case of nonlinear regression problem.
title Embedding generalization within the learning dynamics: An approach based-on sample path large deviation theory
topic Optimization and Control
Machine Learning
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2408.02167