The Forward-Forward Algorithm: Characterizing Training Behavior

Fuente: arXiv
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Autore principale: Adamson, Reece
Natura: Preprint
Pubblicazione: 2025
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author Adamson, Reece
author_facet Adamson, Reece
contents The Forward-Forward algorithm is an alternative learning method which consists of two forward passes rather than a forward and backward pass employed by backpropagation. Forward-Forward networks employ layer local loss functions which are optimized based on the layer activation for each forward pass rather than a single global objective function. This work explores the dynamics of model and layer accuracy changes in Forward-Forward networks as training progresses in pursuit of a mechanistic understanding of their internal behavior. Treatments to various system characteristics are applied to investigate changes in layer and overall model accuracy as training progresses, how accuracy is impacted by layer depth, and how strongly individual layer accuracy is correlated with overall model accuracy. The empirical results presented suggest that layers deeper within Forward-Forward networks experience a delay in accuracy improvement relative to shallower layers and that shallower layer accuracy is strongly correlated with overall model accuracy.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2504_11229
institution arXiv
publishDate 2025
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle The Forward-Forward Algorithm: Characterizing Training Behavior
Adamson, Reece
Machine Learning
The Forward-Forward algorithm is an alternative learning method which consists of two forward passes rather than a forward and backward pass employed by backpropagation. Forward-Forward networks employ layer local loss functions which are optimized based on the layer activation for each forward pass rather than a single global objective function. This work explores the dynamics of model and layer accuracy changes in Forward-Forward networks as training progresses in pursuit of a mechanistic understanding of their internal behavior. Treatments to various system characteristics are applied to investigate changes in layer and overall model accuracy as training progresses, how accuracy is impacted by layer depth, and how strongly individual layer accuracy is correlated with overall model accuracy. The empirical results presented suggest that layers deeper within Forward-Forward networks experience a delay in accuracy improvement relative to shallower layers and that shallower layer accuracy is strongly correlated with overall model accuracy.
title The Forward-Forward Algorithm: Characterizing Training Behavior
topic Machine Learning
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2504.11229