Thesis Defense: Samuel Tenka

Wednesday, June 18
4:00 pm - 6:00 pm

4-257

Name:
Samuel Tenka

Time:
Wednesday, June 18, 4pm

Room: 4-257

Zoom: https://mit.zoom.us/j/96397133905
Password: cohobast

Title: Geometric Aspects of Optimization and Representation in Learning

Abstract: Machine learning combines methods in optimization, data-representation, and architecture. Employing differential geometric tools, I develop a predictive theory of how noise-curvature interactions during optimization affect implicit regularization; characterize featurization, optimal with respect to bilinear downstream prediction, in the regime where independence constraints as expressed probabilistic graphical models are approximately but not exactly true; and prove a universal approximation theorem for equivariant architectures.  Common to these three projects is an emphasis on bilinear metric structure, which behind the scenes is an instance of a category-theoretic adjunction much like that between syntax and semantics.

Supervisor:
Joshua B. Tenenbaum, Professor of Brain and Cognitive Science

Details

  • Date: Wednesday, June 18
  • Time: 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm
  • Category:
  • Location: 4-257