insikt - Computer Science - # Predict-then-Optimize Task Transferability

Incorporating Decisions into Dataset Distances for Improved Predict-then-Optimize Task Transferability

Q: How can the decision-aware dataset distance be extended to handle decision components of varying structures and dimensions, such as non-comparable decision spaces?

To extend the decision-aware dataset distance to accommodate decision components of varying structures and dimensions, including non-comparable decision spaces, several strategies can be employed. One promising approach is to leverage techniques from Optimal Transport (OT) that allow for the comparison of distributions across different metric spaces. For instance, the Gromov-Wasserstein distance can be utilized, which is designed to compare metric spaces that may not share a common structure. This method focuses on the relationships between points in different spaces rather than their absolute positions, making it suitable for non-comparable decision spaces. Additionally, hierarchical OT frameworks can be implemented to manage complex decision structures. By organizing decisions into a hierarchy, it becomes possible to define a multi-level comparison that captures the nuances of decision-making processes across different dimensions. This hierarchical approach allows for the integration of various decision types, enabling a more comprehensive assessment of decision quality disparities. Moreover, incorporating domain knowledge into the cost functions used in the OT framework can enhance the relevance of the distance measure. By tailoring the cost functions to reflect the specific characteristics and requirements of the decision spaces involved, the decision-aware dataset distance can be made more robust and applicable to a wider range of scenarios.

Q: How can the weights assigned to features, labels, and decisions be refined and tuned in a way that is independent of transferability measures?

Refining and tuning the weights assigned to features, labels, and decisions in the decision-aware dataset distance can be achieved through a systematic approach that does not rely on transferability measures. One effective method is to employ a grid search or optimization algorithm to explore the weight space independently. By defining a range of potential weights for features, labels, and decisions, one can evaluate the performance of the dataset distance across various configurations without directly linking it to transferability outcomes. Another approach is to utilize cross-validation techniques, where the dataset is partitioned into training and validation sets. By assessing the performance of the decision-aware dataset distance on the validation set for different weight combinations, one can identify optimal weights that maximize the predictive power of the distance measure. This process can be further enhanced by incorporating regularization techniques to prevent overfitting and ensure that the weights generalize well across different datasets. Additionally, incorporating expert knowledge or domain-specific insights can guide the weight assignment process. By understanding the relative importance of features, labels, and decisions in the context of specific PtO tasks, practitioners can make informed decisions about weight allocation, leading to a more tailored and effective distance measure.

Q: How can the decision-aware dataset distance framework be adapted to more intricate PtO structures, such as when multiple feature-label pairs define a single decision?

Adapting the decision-aware dataset distance framework to handle more intricate PtO structures, where multiple feature-label pairs define a single decision, requires a multi-faceted approach. One effective strategy is to employ a composite distance measure that aggregates the contributions of various feature-label pairs into a unified decision metric. This can be achieved by defining a joint cost function that accounts for the interactions between multiple feature-label pairs, allowing for a holistic assessment of decision quality. In this context, the decision quality disparity can be generalized to consider the collective impact of multiple decisions derived from different feature-label pairs. By extending the definition of decision quality disparity to incorporate a weighted sum or an average of the disparities across all relevant pairs, the framework can effectively capture the complexity of the decision-making process. Furthermore, leveraging ensemble methods can enhance the robustness of the decision-aware dataset distance. By combining predictions from multiple models, each trained on different feature-label pairs, one can create a more comprehensive decision framework that reflects the diverse influences of the input data. This ensemble approach can be integrated into the OT framework, allowing for a more nuanced comparison of datasets based on the aggregated decision outcomes. Lastly, incorporating feedback mechanisms that allow for iterative refinement of the decision-aware dataset distance can improve its adaptability to complex PtO structures. By continuously updating the distance measure based on new data and decision outcomes, the framework can evolve to better reflect the intricacies of the decision-making landscape, ensuring its relevance and effectiveness in diverse applications.

Centrala begrepp

Incorporating decisions, in addition to features and labels, into dataset distances is crucial for accurately capturing task similarity and predicting transferability in Predict-then-Optimize (PtO) frameworks.

Sammanfattning

The paper introduces a decision-aware dataset distance measure based on Optimal Transport (OT) techniques that incorporates features, labels, and decisions. This is the first approach to integrate decisions as part of the dataset distance, addressing the unique challenges of PtO tasks.

The key highlights and insights are:

Traditional dataset distances, which rely solely on feature and label dimensions, lack informativeness in the PtO context where model performance is measured through decision regret minimization rather than prediction error minimization.
The proposed decision-aware dataset distance effectively captures adaptation success in PtO contexts by incorporating the impacts of downstream decisions. It provides a PtO adaptation bound in terms of this decision-aware dataset distance.
Empirical analysis across three different PtO tasks from the literature - Linear Model Top-K, Warcraft Shortest Path, and Inventory Stock Problem - demonstrates that the decision-aware distance better predicts transferability compared to feature-label distances alone.
The flexibility to weight the feature, label, and decision components in the ground cost function allows the distance metric to be tailored to the specific requirements of each PtO task.
The impact of target shift, where the target label distribution changes while the feature distribution remains constant, is less pronounced in PtO contexts compared to standard supervised learning. The decision-aware dataset distance effectively captures this behavior.

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Statistik

"The decision quality disparity function lg(z, z'; y, y') := |g(z; y) - g(z'; y')| measures the difference in decision quality between two decisions z, z' ∈ Ω given the labels y, y' ∈ Y."
"For any α = (αX, αY, αW) such that αX, αY, αW > 0, the decision-aware dataset distance dOT(D, D'; cα
PtO) defines a valid metric on P(X × Y × Ω)."

Citat

"Traditional statistical tests, such as the chi-squared test for categorical variables (Pearson, 1900) and the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test for numerical variables (Massey, 1951), quantify similarity based on features alone."
"Even if Ω were a metric space, it is uncertain whether its associated distance would be meaningful for assessing the adaptability of a PtO task across different domains."

Viktiga insikter från

What is the Right Notion of Distance between Predict-then-Optimize Tasks?

by Paula Rodrig... på arxiv.org 09-12-2024

https://arxiv.org/pdf/2409.06997.pdf

What is the Right Notion of Distance between Predict-then-Optimize Tasks?

Djupare frågor

How can the decision-aware dataset distance be extended to handle decision components of varying structures and dimensions, such as non-comparable decision spaces?

To extend the decision-aware dataset distance to accommodate decision components of varying structures and dimensions, including non-comparable decision spaces, several strategies can be employed. One promising approach is to leverage techniques from Optimal Transport (OT) that allow for the comparison of distributions across different metric spaces. For instance, the Gromov-Wasserstein distance can be utilized, which is designed to compare metric spaces that may not share a common structure. This method focuses on the relationships between points in different spaces rather than their absolute positions, making it suitable for non-comparable decision spaces.
Additionally, hierarchical OT frameworks can be implemented to manage complex decision structures. By organizing decisions into a hierarchy, it becomes possible to define a multi-level comparison that captures the nuances of decision-making processes across different dimensions. This hierarchical approach allows for the integration of various decision types, enabling a more comprehensive assessment of decision quality disparities.
Moreover, incorporating domain knowledge into the cost functions used in the OT framework can enhance the relevance of the distance measure. By tailoring the cost functions to reflect the specific characteristics and requirements of the decision spaces involved, the decision-aware dataset distance can be made more robust and applicable to a wider range of scenarios.

How can the weights assigned to features, labels, and decisions be refined and tuned in a way that is independent of transferability measures?

Refining and tuning the weights assigned to features, labels, and decisions in the decision-aware dataset distance can be achieved through a systematic approach that does not rely on transferability measures. One effective method is to employ a grid search or optimization algorithm to explore the weight space independently. By defining a range of potential weights for features, labels, and decisions, one can evaluate the performance of the dataset distance across various configurations without directly linking it to transferability outcomes.
Another approach is to utilize cross-validation techniques, where the dataset is partitioned into training and validation sets. By assessing the performance of the decision-aware dataset distance on the validation set for different weight combinations, one can identify optimal weights that maximize the predictive power of the distance measure. This process can be further enhanced by incorporating regularization techniques to prevent overfitting and ensure that the weights generalize well across different datasets.
Additionally, incorporating expert knowledge or domain-specific insights can guide the weight assignment process. By understanding the relative importance of features, labels, and decisions in the context of specific PtO tasks, practitioners can make informed decisions about weight allocation, leading to a more tailored and effective distance measure.

How can the decision-aware dataset distance framework be adapted to more intricate PtO structures, such as when multiple feature-label pairs define a single decision?

Adapting the decision-aware dataset distance framework to handle more intricate PtO structures, where multiple feature-label pairs define a single decision, requires a multi-faceted approach. One effective strategy is to employ a composite distance measure that aggregates the contributions of various feature-label pairs into a unified decision metric. This can be achieved by defining a joint cost function that accounts for the interactions between multiple feature-label pairs, allowing for a holistic assessment of decision quality.
In this context, the decision quality disparity can be generalized to consider the collective impact of multiple decisions derived from different feature-label pairs. By extending the definition of decision quality disparity to incorporate a weighted sum or an average of the disparities across all relevant pairs, the framework can effectively capture the complexity of the decision-making process.
Furthermore, leveraging ensemble methods can enhance the robustness of the decision-aware dataset distance. By combining predictions from multiple models, each trained on different feature-label pairs, one can create a more comprehensive decision framework that reflects the diverse influences of the input data. This ensemble approach can be integrated into the OT framework, allowing for a more nuanced comparison of datasets based on the aggregated decision outcomes.
Lastly, incorporating feedback mechanisms that allow for iterative refinement of the decision-aware dataset distance can improve its adaptability to complex PtO structures. By continuously updating the distance measure based on new data and decision outcomes, the framework can evolve to better reflect the intricacies of the decision-making landscape, ensuring its relevance and effectiveness in diverse applications.