Advancing foundational learning
Our research teams are tackling the big questions of AI – from exploring the essence of machine cognition to understanding how advanced AI models generalize – while also working to overcome key theoretical challenges.
For both humans and machines, causal reasoning and the ability to predict events are closely related concepts. In a spotlight presentation, we explore how reinforcement learning is affected by prediction-based training objectives, and draw parallels to changes in brain activity also linked to prediction.
When AI agents are able to generalize well to new scenarios is it because they, like humans, have learned an underlying causal model of their world? This is a critical question in advanced AI. In an oral presentation, we reveal that such models have indeed learned an approximate causal model of the processes that resulted in their training data, and discuss the deep implications.
Another critical question in AI is trust, which in part depends on how accurately models can estimate the uncertainty of their outputs – a crucial factor for reliable decision-making. We’ve made significant advances in uncertainty estimation within Bayesian deep learning, employing a simple and essentially cost-free method.
Finally, we explore game theory’s Nash equilibrium (NE) – a state in which no player benefits from changing their strategy if others maintain theirs. Beyond simple two-player games, even approximating a Nash equilibrium is computationally intractable, but in an oral presentation, we reveal new state-of-the-art approaches in negotiating deals from poker to auctions.
Bringing together the AI community
We’re delighted to sponsor ICLR and support initiatives including Queer in AI and Women In Machine Learning. Such partnerships not only bolster research collaborations but also foster a vibrant, diverse community in AI and machine learning.
If you’re at ICLR, be sure to visit our booth and our Google Research colleagues next door. Discover our pioneering research, meet our teams hosting workshops, and engage with our experts presenting throughout the conference. We look forward to connecting with you!