arXiv Machine Learning

Gradient Testing and Estimation by Comparisons

arXiv:2405. 11454v3 Announce Type: replace Abstract: We study gradient testing and gradient estimation of smooth functions using only a comparison oracle that, given two points, indicates which one has the larger function value.

arXiv Machine Learning
Jun 26

Finding Stationary Points by Comparisons

arXiv:2606. 27082v1 Announce Type: new Abstract: We study the problem of finding stationary points of non-convex functions when access to the objective is provided only through a comparison oracle that, given two points, outputs which has the larger function value.

By Helin Wang, Chenyi Zhang, Xiwen Tao, Yexin Zhang, Tongyang Li
arXiv Machine Learning
Jul 15

Learning and Testing Convex Functions

arXiv:2511. 11498v2 Announce Type: replace-cross Abstract: We consider the problems of \emph{learning} and \emph{testing} real-valued convex functions over Gaussian space.

By Renato Ferreira Pinto Jr., Cassandra Marcussen, Elchanan Mossel, Shivam Nadimpalli
arXiv Machine Learning
Sep 2

Dense Weak Hiding: Closing Complexity Gaps in Nonconvex and PL Finite-Sum Optimization under Individual Smoothness

The paper establishes the optimal incremental first‑order oracle (IFO) complexity for nonconvex finite‑sum optimization under individual smoothness, proving a matching lower bound that closes a previously missing √{n} factor. It also refines the analysis of the PAGE algorithm under the global Polyak‑Lojasiewicz condition, providing tighter guarantees for different ranges of the condition number. The authors introduce a novel dense weak hiding construction that yields these lower bounds and demonstrates the limits of existing methods.

By Yuxing Peng, Zhiqing Tang, Weijia Jia
arXiv Machine Learning
Sep 18

The First-Order Oracle Complexity of Lipschitz Convex Optimization in Nondual Settings

arXiv:2609. 20687v1 Announce Type: cross Abstract: We study first-order black-box convex optimization over an $\ell_p$-ball for objectives Lipschitz in the $\ell_q$-norm, solving in the affirmative the nonsmooth version of the COLT open question (Guz15b) on whether the geometry of a smaller feasible set ($p < q$) can improve convergence rates in convex optimization, and matching prior lower bounds up to logarithmic factors.

By David Mart\'inez-Rubio, Brian Bullins, Crist\'obal Guzm\'an, Mathieu Molina
arXiv Machine Learning
Sep 4

A Closed-Form Formula for Consistent Lipschitz Regression on Metric Spaces with Sparse Neural Network Realizations

arXiv:2609. 03129v1 Announce Type: cross Abstract: Several classical machine-learning methods, such as KRRs and SVRs, are both computationally and analytically tractable since their estimators either admit closed-form expressions or are obtained by minimizing convex training objectives; neither feature is generally available for deep neural networks.

By Ruiyang Hong, Hrad Ghoukasian, Anastasis Kratsios