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Main Authors: Auricchio, Gennaro, Bernardelli, Adelaide Emma, Giudici, Paolo, Toscani, Giuseppe
Format: Preprint
Published: 2025
Subjects:
Online Access:https://arxiv.org/abs/2511.23100
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author Auricchio, Gennaro
Bernardelli, Adelaide Emma
Giudici, Paolo
Toscani, Giuseppe
author_facet Auricchio, Gennaro
Bernardelli, Adelaide Emma
Giudici, Paolo
Toscani, Giuseppe
contents Evaluating the reliability of machine learning classifications remains a fundamental challenge in Artificial Intelligence (AI), particularly when the target variable is multidimensional. Classification variables can be expressed by means of a categorical scale which, at best, is ordinal. Because ordinal data lack a natural metric structure in their underlying space, most conventional distance measures aimed at assessing the accuracy of machine learning classifications cannot be directly or meaningfully applied. In this paper, we develop a mathematical framework for comparing ordinal data based on a family of Rank Graduation $(\mathrm{RGX}_p)$ \emph{metrics}. We demonstrate that these metrics can quantify the proportion of variability of the response explained by the predictions, in a similar manner as the predictive $R^2$ for continuous response variables. After establishing theoretical connections between the $\mathrm{RGX}_p$ family and other prominent metrics in AI, we conduct extensive experiments across diverse datasets and learning tasks to evaluate their empirical performance. The results underscore the versatility, interpretability, and robustness of the $\mathrm{RGX}_p$ metrics as a principled foundation for developing trustworthy and SAFE AI systems.
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publishDate 2025
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spellingShingle On Rank Graduation Metrics for High Dimensional Ordinal Data
Auricchio, Gennaro
Bernardelli, Adelaide Emma
Giudici, Paolo
Toscani, Giuseppe
Optimization and Control
Evaluating the reliability of machine learning classifications remains a fundamental challenge in Artificial Intelligence (AI), particularly when the target variable is multidimensional. Classification variables can be expressed by means of a categorical scale which, at best, is ordinal. Because ordinal data lack a natural metric structure in their underlying space, most conventional distance measures aimed at assessing the accuracy of machine learning classifications cannot be directly or meaningfully applied. In this paper, we develop a mathematical framework for comparing ordinal data based on a family of Rank Graduation $(\mathrm{RGX}_p)$ \emph{metrics}. We demonstrate that these metrics can quantify the proportion of variability of the response explained by the predictions, in a similar manner as the predictive $R^2$ for continuous response variables. After establishing theoretical connections between the $\mathrm{RGX}_p$ family and other prominent metrics in AI, we conduct extensive experiments across diverse datasets and learning tasks to evaluate their empirical performance. The results underscore the versatility, interpretability, and robustness of the $\mathrm{RGX}_p$ metrics as a principled foundation for developing trustworthy and SAFE AI systems.
title On Rank Graduation Metrics for High Dimensional Ordinal Data
topic Optimization and Control
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2511.23100