Toward Fair Graph Neural Networks Via Dual-Teacher Knowledge Distillation

Fuente: arXiv
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Main Authors: Li, Chengyu, Cheng, Debo, Zhang, Guixian, Li, Yi, Zhang, Shichao
Format: Preprint
Published: 2024
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author Li, Chengyu
Cheng, Debo
Zhang, Guixian
Li, Yi
Zhang, Shichao
author_facet Li, Chengyu
Cheng, Debo
Zhang, Guixian
Li, Yi
Zhang, Shichao
contents Graph Neural Networks (GNNs) have demonstrated strong performance in graph representation learning across various real-world applications. However, they often produce biased predictions caused by sensitive attributes, such as religion or gender, an issue that has been largely overlooked in existing methods. Recently, numerous studies have focused on reducing biases in GNNs. However, these approaches often rely on training with partial data (e.g., using either node features or graph structure alone), which can enhance fairness but frequently compromises model utility due to the limited utilization of available graph information. To address this tradeoff, we propose an effective strategy to balance fairness and utility in knowledge distillation. Specifically, we introduce FairDTD, a novel Fair representation learning framework built on Dual-Teacher Distillation, leveraging a causal graph model to guide and optimize the design of the distillation process. Specifically, FairDTD employs two fairness-oriented teacher models: a feature teacher and a structure teacher, to facilitate dual distillation, with the student model learning fairness knowledge from the teachers while also leveraging full data to mitigate utility loss. To enhance information transfer, we incorporate graph-level distillation to provide an indirect supplement of graph information during training, as well as a node-specific temperature module to improve the comprehensive transfer of fair knowledge. Experiments on diverse benchmark datasets demonstrate that FairDTD achieves optimal fairness while preserving high model utility, showcasing its effectiveness in fair representation learning for GNNs.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2412_00382
institution arXiv
publishDate 2024
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Toward Fair Graph Neural Networks Via Dual-Teacher Knowledge Distillation
Li, Chengyu
Cheng, Debo
Zhang, Guixian
Li, Yi
Zhang, Shichao
Machine Learning
Computers and Society
Graph Neural Networks (GNNs) have demonstrated strong performance in graph representation learning across various real-world applications. However, they often produce biased predictions caused by sensitive attributes, such as religion or gender, an issue that has been largely overlooked in existing methods. Recently, numerous studies have focused on reducing biases in GNNs. However, these approaches often rely on training with partial data (e.g., using either node features or graph structure alone), which can enhance fairness but frequently compromises model utility due to the limited utilization of available graph information. To address this tradeoff, we propose an effective strategy to balance fairness and utility in knowledge distillation. Specifically, we introduce FairDTD, a novel Fair representation learning framework built on Dual-Teacher Distillation, leveraging a causal graph model to guide and optimize the design of the distillation process. Specifically, FairDTD employs two fairness-oriented teacher models: a feature teacher and a structure teacher, to facilitate dual distillation, with the student model learning fairness knowledge from the teachers while also leveraging full data to mitigate utility loss. To enhance information transfer, we incorporate graph-level distillation to provide an indirect supplement of graph information during training, as well as a node-specific temperature module to improve the comprehensive transfer of fair knowledge. Experiments on diverse benchmark datasets demonstrate that FairDTD achieves optimal fairness while preserving high model utility, showcasing its effectiveness in fair representation learning for GNNs.
title Toward Fair Graph Neural Networks Via Dual-Teacher Knowledge Distillation
topic Machine Learning
Computers and Society
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2412.00382