Phase transitions typically occur in combinatorial computational problems and have important consequences, especially with the current spread of statistical relational learning as well as sequence learning methodologies. In Phase Transitions in Machine Learning the authors begin by describing in detail this phenomenon, and the extensive experimental investigation that supports its presence. They then turn their attention to the possible implications and explore appropriate methods for tackling them. Weaving together fundamental aspects of computer science, statistical physics and machine learning, the book provides sufficient mathematics and physics background to make the subject intelligible to researchers in AI and other computer science communities. Open research issues are also discussed, suggesting promising directions for future research. Machine generated contents note: Preface; Acknowledgements; 1. Introduction; 2. Statistical physics and phase transitions; 3. The satisfiability problem; 4. Constraint satisfaction problems; 5. Machine learning; 6. Searching the hypothesis space; 7. Statistical physics and machine learning; 8. Learning, SAT, and CSP; 9. Phase transition in FOL covering test; 10. Phase transitions and relational learning; 11. Phase transitions in grammatical inference; 12. Relationships with complex systems; 13. Phase transitions in natural systems; 14. Discussions and open issues; Appendix A. Phase transitions detected in two real cases; Appendix B. An intriguing idea; References; Index. "Phase transitions typically occur in combinatorial computational problems and have important consequences, especially with the current spread of statistical relational learning and as sequence learning methodologies. In Phase Transitions in Machine Learning the authors begin by describing in detail this phenomenon and the extensive experimental investigation that supports its presence. They then turn their attention to the possible implications and explore appropriate methods for tackling them"-- Provided by publisher This state-of-the-art overview describes how phase transitions occur and teaches appropriate methods for tackling the consequent problems. Weaving together fundamental aspects of computer science, statistical physics and machine learning, it provides sufficient mathematics and physics background to make the subject intelligible to researchers in AI and other computer science communities.
