Characterizes distribution-free rates in unbalanced classification problems.
problem Minimizing error under two different distributions in unbalanced settings.
method Characterizes minimax rates over all pairs of distributions using a geometric condition.
result Identifies a dichotomy between hard and easy classes based on a three-points-separation condition.
A method for making predictions with a reject option using conformal prediction.
problem Uncertainty in machine learning predictions, especially when models are unsure.
method Formalizing ML with reject option, using conformal prediction for distribution-free error guarantees.
result Theoretical guarantees on error rate for prediction sets with distribution-free validity.
Unified theoretical guarantees for distribution-free changepoint detection and testing.
problem Distribution-free changepoint inference with finite-sample validity and consistency.
method Distribution-free changepoint localization using conformal p-values with theoretical guarantees.
result Unified distribution-free guarantees for changepoint detection, localization, and testing.
`Distribution regression' refers to the situation where a response Y depends on a covariate P where P is a probability distribution. The model is Y=f(P) + mu where f is an unknown regression function and mu is a random error. Typically, we do not observe P directly, but rather, we observe a sample from P. In this paper…
Method predicts NAFLD risk with high accuracy and distribution-free coverage guarantees.
problem Insufficient population-level screening tools for NAFLD.
method Gradient-boosted decision trees with conformal prediction.
result Method achieves AUROC of 0.912 internally and 0.891 externally, superior to other models.
New trade-off found in bandit problems with unknown range.
problem Stochastic bandit problems with unknown range.
method Exhibit a strategy achieving new trade-off between distribution-dependent and distribution-free regret bounds.
result Achieves the rates for regret indicated by the new trade-off.
This paper develops a method for estimating animal motion submanifolds using distribution-free learning.
problem Estimating submanifold models of animal motion supported on a configuration manifold.
method Formulates a novel method based on distribution-free learning over the manifold of measurements.
result Derives approximations of the unknown mapping that converge with rates dependent on sample size and dimensionality.
A new model for detecting overlapping communities in weighted networks.
problem Community detection in overlapping weighted networks with mixed membership and edge weights.
method Mixed membership distribution-free (MMDF) model with an efficient spectral algorithm and fuzzy weighted modularity.
result The MMDF model can estimate community memberships and evaluate community quality for weighted networks.
The paper develops a method to create non-asymptotic confidence ellipsoids for linear regression without strong noise distribution assumptions.
problem Constructing reliable confidence regions for linear regression with finite sample sizes and general noise distributions.
method The paper introduces the SPS EOA algorithm to create non-asymptotically guaranteed confidence ellipsoids for linear regression problems.
result The sizes of SPS outer ellipsoids are shown to decrease at the optimal rate for linear regression problems.
We investigate if kernel regularization methods can achieve minimax convergence rates over a source condition regularity assumption for the target function. These questions have been considered in past literature, but only under specific assumptions about the decay, typically polynomial, of the spectrum of the the kern…
Study three types of uncertainty quantification for binary classification without distributional assumptions.
problem Uncertainty quantification for binary classification in a distribution-free setting.
method Established theorems connecting calibration, confidence intervals, and prediction sets for score-based classifiers.
result Distribution-free calibration is only possible using scoring functions that partition feature space into countably many sets.
The paper develops distribution-free methods for ordinal classification.
problem Constructing valid prediction sets for ordinal classification problems.
method Leveraging conformal prediction and multiple testing with FWER control.
result The proposed methods achieve satisfactory levels of marginal and class-specific conditional coverages.
The paper tackles distribution-free prediction intervals for multi-source data.
problem Challenges in achieving valid inferences due to distribution shifts and privacy concerns.
method Derives efficient influence functions, incorporates machine learning, and proposes data-adaptive strategies.
result Achieves parametric rates of convergence to nominal coverage probabilities for prediction intervals.
Locus scores predictions for risk, reducing large-loss events.
problem Deployment cost from inaccurate predictions, especially large losses.
method Distribution-free loss-scale reliability score using any predictive distribution.
result Reduces large-loss frequency compared to standard heuristics.
The paper proposes a method for distribution-free prediction sets that adapt to unknown temporal changes.
problem Distribution-free prediction sets require reliable calibration data, which is often unavailable in real-world settings with temporal changes.
method The method selects an adaptive window to construct prediction sets, optimizing a bias-variance tradeoff.
result The method provides sharp coverage guarantees and is shown to be adaptive to temporal drift through numerical experiments.
This paper offers a distribution-free method for post-detection changepoint localization.
problem Locating the exact time of a change in distribution after a sequential detection procedure.
method A distribution-free framework using conformal test martingales for sequential change detection and post-detection inference.
result Valid post-detection coverage guarantees and non-asymptotic bounds on confidence set size.
New method relaxes TV distance for two-sample testing without distributional assumptions.
problem Challenges in certifying equality or providing tight bounds on TV distance for two distributions.
method Examined blurred total variation distance, a relaxation of TV distance.
result Provided theoretical guarantees for upper and lower bounds on blurred TV distance.
The paper tackles uncertainty quantification for classification under label shift without assuming i.i.d. data.
problem Uncertainty quantification for classification under label shift in non-i.i.d. settings.
method The paper uses conformal prediction and post-hoc binning for distribution-free UQ, and reweights these methods for label shift.
result The reweighted methods improve UQ performance under label shift, preserving coverage and calibration.
FedFaiREE addresses fairness in decentralized learning with small samples.
problem Ensuring fairness in decentralized federated learning with limited data.
method FedFaiREE is a post-processing algorithm for distribution-free fair learning in decentralized settings with small samples.
result FedFaiREE provides theoretical guarantees for both fairness and accuracy in decentralized environments.
MMDCP improves outlier detection and classification with adaptive prediction sets.
problem Label shift and distribution differences in multi-class settings.
method Combines distance measures with full conformal prediction for adaptive prediction sets.
result Valid coverage and effective control of class-wise false discovery rate (CW-FDR).
We develop an online learning method for prediction, which is important in problems with large and/or streaming data sets. We formulate the learning approach using a covariance-fitting methodology, and show that the resulting predictor has desirable computational and distribution-free properties: It is implemented onli…
New tools for uncertainty in dynamical systems without distribution assumptions.
problem Uncertainty representation in dynamical systems without distributional assumptions.
method Kernel mean embedding and kernel probabilistic programming.
result Distribution-free representation, comparison, and propagation of uncertainties.
Large language models can't efficiently reason conditionally in a distribution-free setting.
problem Impossibility of conditional PAC-efficient reasoning in large language models.
method Proof of impossibility in a distribution-free setting for non-atomic input spaces.
result Any algorithm achieving conditional PAC efficiency must defer to the expert model with high probability.
Entropy rate of sequential data-streams naturally quantifies the complexity of the generative process. Thus entropy rate fluctuations could be used as a tool to recognize dynamical perturbations in signal sources, and could potentially be carried out without explicit background noise characterization. However, state of…
This article studies the achievable guarantees on the error rates of certain learning algorithms, with particular focus on refining logarithmic factors. Many of the results are based on a general technique for obtaining bounds on the error rates of sample-consistent classifiers with monotonic error regions, in the real…
Valid p-value for bounded random variables without distributional assumptions.
problem Calibration of predictive algorithms in a distribution-free setting.
method Built a super-uniform p-value based on a concentration inequality.
result Super-uniform p-value is tighter than existing alternatives.
Neural ARFIMA model improves exchange rate forecasting for BRIC economies.
problem Forecasting exchange rates for emerging markets with long-term memory and nonlinear dynamics.
method Integrates ARFIMA for long-memory with neural networks for nonlinear approximation.
result NARFIMA model outperforms benchmarks in BRIC exchange rate forecasting.
New bounds for agnostic learning with average smoothness.
problem Distribution-free nonparametric regression with average smoothness.
method Distribution-free uniform convergence bounds and agnostic learning algorithm.
result Distribution-free uniform convergence bounds for average-smoothness classes in the agnostic setting.
New algorithm for precise changepoint localization without assumptions.
problem Offline changepoint localization in arbitrary distributions.
method Distribution-free algorithm CONformal CHangepoint localization (CONCH) using exchangeability arguments.
result Derives principled score functions for informative and small confidence sets with normalized length shrinking to zero.
Study robust linear regression without distributional assumptions for heavy-tailed responses.
problem Linear regression with heavy-tailed responses and no distributional assumptions.
method Combining truncated least squares, median-of-means, and aggregation theory to construct a non-linear estimator.
result Achieves excess risk of order d/n with optimal sub-exponential tail. New algorithm learns disjunctions faster than previous methods.
problem Learning Boolean disjunctions in the agnostic PAC model.
method Developed an agnostic learner with complexity 2ildeO(n1/3). result First separation between SQ and CSQ models in distribution-free agnostic learning.
Conformal prediction provides distribution-free uncertainty quantification for black-box models.
problem Uncertainty quantification for high-risk machine learning applications.
method Conformal prediction creates valid uncertainty sets without distributional assumptions.
result Sets contain the ground truth with a specified probability, e.g., 90%.
CROC identifies the earliest-changing stream as the root cause in multi-stream data.
problem Distribution-free root cause analysis in multi-stream data with unknown distributional changes.
method Conformal p-values and finite-sample valid confidence sets.
result CROC efficiently isolates the root cause under minimal assumptions.
The paper develops bounds for predictive values in binary classification.
problem Lack of confidence intervals for positive and negative predictive values.
method Bi-criterion framework and distribution-free large deviation and uniform convergence bounds.
result New bounds for predictive values without relying on concentration inequalities.
New tests for binary classification regression functions without distribution assumptions.
problem Testing regression functions in binary classification without distributional assumptions.
method Conditional kernel mean embeddings and resampling-based framework.
result Distribution-free hypothesis tests with exact type I error control.
Mack's estimator improves chain ladder prediction for large exposure insurance models.
problem Uncertainty quantification in compound Poisson loss models.
method Large exposure asymptotics applied to Mack's estimator.
result Chain ladder prediction uncertainty can be quantified without model assumptions.
FaiREE provides fair classification with guarantees for small datasets.
problem Fairness in classification often requires large sample sizes and distributional assumptions.
method FaiREE offers finite-sample and distribution-free fairness guarantees.
result FaiREE achieves optimal accuracy and satisfies various fairness notions.
Conformal prediction offers distribution-free inference for complex models.
problem Traditional predictive inference methods are limited by assumptions about data distributions and model details.
method Conformal prediction uses symmetry assumptions and treats learning algorithms as black boxes.
result Conformal prediction provides exact finite-sample guarantees, even under limited assumptions.
Improves conditional coverage of regression models using conformal prediction.
problem Lack of conditional coverage guarantees in conformal prediction methods.
method Proposes a novel algorithm to train a regression function to improve conditional coverage after split conformal prediction.
result Establishes an upper bound for miscoverage gap and proposes an end-to-end algorithm to control it.
Paper develops a neural network method for censored survival analysis.
problem Distribution-free quantile prediction for censored survival data.
method Develops a novel neural network algorithm for simultaneous quantile optimization.
result The algorithm produces better calibrated quantiles on real datasets.
MACI improves LLM factuality inference with higher retention and lower time cost.
problem Ensuring factuality in LLM responses for high-stakes domains.
method Reformulated conformal inference in a multiplicative filtering setting, leveraging ensembles for more accurate factuality scores and group-conditional calibration.
result MACI achieves higher retention and lower time cost compared to baselines, preserving validity through group-conditional calibration.
Unified framework for fair classification with group-blindness/awareness guarantees.
problem Challenges in enforcing fairness and group-blindness in binary classification.
method Unified framework based on post-processing procedure, applicable to various group fairness notions.
result Minimax rate-optimality of the proposed algorithm with controlled excess risk.
New model for detecting communities in weighted bipartite networks.
problem No model for community detection in overlapping bipartite weighted networks.
method Introduces BiMMDF model allowing any distribution with block structure.
result Efficient algorithm with theoretical guarantee of consistent estimation.
Method constructs nonparametric prediction intervals with finite-sample guarantees.
problem Nonparametric instrumental variable regression with finite-sample coverage.
method Conformal inference framework applied to NPIV, combining with various estimators.
result Distribution-free, finite-sample coverage over chosen IV shifts.
Four geometries govern sequential and distribution-free inference.
problem Sequential and distribution-free inference challenges.
method Four distinct admissibility geometries.
result Four classes of admissible procedures are pairwise non-nested.
Algorithm learns without knowing distribution, reducing error.
problem Sequential prediction with adversarial injections and abstentions.
method Boosting procedure of weak learners for general VC classes.
result Sublinear error guarantees for general VC classes.
Unified review of Conformal Prediction theory and applications.
problem Distribution-free, non-parametric forecasting method for valid prediction sets.
method Minimal assumptions, straightforward predictions sets valid in finite sample cases.
result Unified review of Conformal Prediction theory and applications.
COP improves online conformal prediction by incorporating data patterns, leading to tighter prediction sets.
problem Overly conservative prediction sets in online conformal prediction methods when data distribution shifts.
method Conformal Optimistic Prediction (COP) incorporating estimated cumulative distribution function of non-conformity scores.
result COP produces tighter prediction sets with valid coverage guarantees, outperforming other methods.