Between integrals and optima: new methods for scalable machine learning

Thesis

The success of machine learning is due in part to the effectiveness of scalable computational methods, like stochastic gradient descent or Monte Carlo methods, that undergird learning algorithms. This thesis contributes four new scalable methods for distinct problems that arise in machine learning. It introduces a new method for gradient estimation in discrete variable models, a new objective for maximum likelihood learning in the presence of latent variables, and two new gradient-based differentiable optimization methods. Although quite different, these contributions address distinct, critical parts of a typical machine learning workflow. Furthermore, each contribution is inspired by an interplay between the numerical problems of optimization and integration, an interplay that forms the central theme of this thesis.

Authors: Maddison, C

• DOI: 10.5287/ora-e2yxxywn7
• Type of award: DPhil
• Level of award: Doctoral
• Awarding institution: University of Oxford
• Language: English
• Keywords: Gradient Estimation; First-Order Optimization; Approximate Bayesian Inference
• Subjects: Machine Learning