Research Semester Programme Machine Learning Theory

What is Machine Learning Theory

Machine Learning is a key enabler of advances in science, industry and society. In fact, machine learning methods touch nearly all aspects of our physical and online experience. As such, the design and analysis of these methods if of deep interest. This research semester programme is focused on understanding machine learning through the lens of mathematics and computer science, including especially statistics, combinatorics, convex analysis, game theory and algorithms. The programme consists of a series of events highlighting theoretical aspects of machine learning. It is designed to bring young researchers up to speed, stimulate interaction between researchers, and present and especially attempt to solve open problems.

Focus Topics

• Statistical and computational learning
• Online learning and decision-making
• Active, interactive and reinforcement learning, planning and control
• Theory of artificial neural networks and robustness
• Algebraic, Combinatorial, Geometric, Topological and Manifold learning
• Optimization and Game theory
• Privacy, Fairness, Resource constraints
• High-dimensional and non-parametric statistics
• Adaptive data analysis and selective inference
• Causality

Aim of this program

This program aims to bring together researchers from the Netherlands and beyond, with an interest on mathematical and computational aspects of learning. We invite all researchers, especially PhD students and postdoctoral researchers who are working in related topics, to join our events.

Outline

The programme consists of a boot camp for PhD students, two afternoons with lectures by distinguished researchers, and eight "Seminar++" meetings centred around presenting open problems and initiating making progress.

Schedule

Date	Event
February 14-15 2023	Boot Camp
February 14 2023	Launch Lecture
March 8 2023	Seminar++ Meeting
March 22 2023	Seminar++ Meeting
April 5 2023	Seminar++ Meeting
April 12 2023	Mid-semester Lecture
April 19 2023	Seminar++ Meeting
May 10 2023	Seminar++ Meeting
May 24 2023	Seminar++ Meeting
June 7 2023	Seminar++ Meeting
June 21 2023	Seminar++ Meeting

Organisation

The Machine Learning Theory semester programme is organised by Wouter Koolen of the CWI group Machine Learning.