Unveiling the Role of Randomization in Multiclass Adversarial Classification: Insights from Graph Theory

Fuente: arXiv
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Main Authors: Gnecco-Heredia, Lucas, Sammut, Matteo, Pydi, Muni Sreenivas, Pinot, Rafael, Negrevergne, Benjamin, Chevaleyre, Yann
Format: Preprint
Published: 2025
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author Gnecco-Heredia, Lucas
Sammut, Matteo
Pydi, Muni Sreenivas
Pinot, Rafael
Negrevergne, Benjamin
Chevaleyre, Yann
author_facet Gnecco-Heredia, Lucas
Sammut, Matteo
Pydi, Muni Sreenivas
Pinot, Rafael
Negrevergne, Benjamin
Chevaleyre, Yann
contents Randomization as a mean to improve the adversarial robustness of machine learning models has recently attracted significant attention. Unfortunately, much of the theoretical analysis so far has focused on binary classification, providing only limited insights into the more complex multiclass setting. In this paper, we take a step toward closing this gap by drawing inspiration from the field of graph theory. Our analysis focuses on discrete data distributions, allowing us to cast the adversarial risk minimization problems within the well-established framework of set packing problems. By doing so, we are able to identify three structural conditions on the support of the data distribution that are necessary for randomization to improve robustness. Furthermore, we are able to construct several data distributions where (contrarily to binary classification) switching from a deterministic to a randomized solution significantly reduces the optimal adversarial risk. These findings highlight the crucial role randomization can play in enhancing robustness to adversarial attacks in multiclass classification.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2503_14299
institution arXiv
publishDate 2025
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Unveiling the Role of Randomization in Multiclass Adversarial Classification: Insights from Graph Theory
Gnecco-Heredia, Lucas
Sammut, Matteo
Pydi, Muni Sreenivas
Pinot, Rafael
Negrevergne, Benjamin
Chevaleyre, Yann
Machine Learning
Randomization as a mean to improve the adversarial robustness of machine learning models has recently attracted significant attention. Unfortunately, much of the theoretical analysis so far has focused on binary classification, providing only limited insights into the more complex multiclass setting. In this paper, we take a step toward closing this gap by drawing inspiration from the field of graph theory. Our analysis focuses on discrete data distributions, allowing us to cast the adversarial risk minimization problems within the well-established framework of set packing problems. By doing so, we are able to identify three structural conditions on the support of the data distribution that are necessary for randomization to improve robustness. Furthermore, we are able to construct several data distributions where (contrarily to binary classification) switching from a deterministic to a randomized solution significantly reduces the optimal adversarial risk. These findings highlight the crucial role randomization can play in enhancing robustness to adversarial attacks in multiclass classification.
title Unveiling the Role of Randomization in Multiclass Adversarial Classification: Insights from Graph Theory
topic Machine Learning
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2503.14299