News & EventsDepartment Events & Announcements
Events
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Apr15
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In collaboration with the Kellogg Operations Department
Monday / CS Seminar
April 15th / 12:15 PM
In Person / Kellogg Global Hub 1120Speaker
Cynthia Rudin, Duke UniversityTalk Title
Simpler Machine Learning Models for a Complicated WorldAbstract
While the trend in machine learning has tended towards building more complicated (black box) models, such models have not shown any performance advantages for many real-world datasets, and they are more difficult to troubleshoot and use. For these datasets, simpler models (sometimes small enough to fit on an index card) can be just as accurate. However, the design of interpretable models is quite challenging due to the "interaction bottleneck" where domain experts must interact with machine learning algorithms.I will present a new paradigm for interpretable machine learning that solves the interaction bottleneck. In this paradigm, machine learning algorithms are not focused on finding a single optimal model, but instead capture the full collection of good (i.e., low-loss) models, which we call "the Rashomon set." Finding Rashomon sets is extremely computationally difficult, but the benefits are massive. I will present the first algorithm for finding Rashomon sets for a nontrivial function class (sparse decision trees) called TreeFARMS. TreeFARMS, along with its user interface TimberTrek, mitigate the interaction bottleneck for users. TreeFARMS also allows users to incorporate constraints (such as fairness constraints) easily.
I will also present a "path," that is, a mathematical explanation, for the existence of simpler-yet-accurate models and the circumstances under which they arise. In particular, problems where the outcome is uncertain tend to admit large Rashomon sets and simpler models. Hence, the Rashomon set can shed light on the existence of simpler models for many real-world high-stakes decisions. This conclusion has significant policy implications, as it undermines the main reason for using black box models for decisions that deeply affect people's lives.
This is joint work with my colleagues Margo Seltzer and Ron Parr, as well as our exceptional students Chudi Zhong, Lesia Semenova, Jiachang Liu, Rui Xin, Zhi Chen, and Harry Chen. It builds upon the work of many past students and collaborators over the last decade.
Here are papers I will discuss in the talk:
Rui Xin, Chudi Zhong, Zhi Chen, Takuya Takagi, Margo Seltzer, Cynthia Rudin
Exploring the Whole Rashomon Set of Sparse Decision Trees, NeurIPS (oral), 2022.
https://arxiv.org/abs/2209.08040Zijie J. Wang, Chudi Zhong, Rui Xin, Takuya Takagi, Zhi Chen, Duen Horng Chau, Cynthia Rudin, Margo Seltzer
TimberTrek: Exploring and Curating Sparse Decision Trees with Interactive Visualization, IEEE VIS, 2022.
https://poloclub.github.io/timbertrek/Lesia Semenova, Cynthia Rudin, and Ron Parr
On the Existence of Simpler Machine Learning Models. ACM Conference on Fairness, Accountability, and Transparency (ACM FAccT), 2022.
https://arxiv.org/abs/1908.01755Lesia Semenova, Harry Chen, Ronald Parr, Cynthia Rudin
A Path to Simpler Models Starts With Noise, NeurIPS, 2023.
https://arxiv.org/abs/2310.19726Biography
TBATIME Monday, April 15, 2024 at 12:15 PM - 1:15 PM
LOCATION KGH 1120, Kellogg Global Hub map it
CONTACT Wynante R Charles wynante.charles@northwestern.edu EMAIL
CALENDAR Department of Computer Science (CS)
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Aug14
EVENT DETAILSmore info
lessInnovation in Quantum Pedagogy, Application, and its Relation to Culture (IQ-PARC), funded by the Department of Defense — National Defense Education Program, is extending an invitation to underrepresented students nationwide (including military-connected students) to participate in a summer school focused on quantum technologies, to be held at Northwestern University. Join us for presentations by faculty and industry partners introducing quantum technologies, cutting-edge research areas, and related job opportunities particularly in the areas of national security.
This effort aims to foster an inclusive environment that encourages participation from all corners of the academic community. Successful applicants will receive up to $1,000 USD to cover travel and lodging expenses in Evanston, IL.
Priority application deadline: May 15, 2024.
Decisions will be sent by June 15, 2024.
TIME Wednesday, August 14, 2024
LOCATION Ford Motor Company Engineering Design Center map it
CONTACT Dongyang Li lidongyang@northwestern.edu EMAIL
CALENDAR McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science
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Aug15
EVENT DETAILSmore info
lessInnovation in Quantum Pedagogy, Application, and its Relation to Culture (IQ-PARC), funded by the Department of Defense — National Defense Education Program, is extending an invitation to underrepresented students nationwide (including military-connected students) to participate in a summer school focused on quantum technologies, to be held at Northwestern University. Join us for presentations by faculty and industry partners introducing quantum technologies, cutting-edge research areas, and related job opportunities particularly in the areas of national security.
This effort aims to foster an inclusive environment that encourages participation from all corners of the academic community. Successful applicants will receive up to $1,000 USD to cover travel and lodging expenses in Evanston, IL.
Priority application deadline: May 15, 2024.
Decisions will be sent by June 15, 2024.
TIME Thursday, August 15, 2024
LOCATION Ford Motor Company Engineering Design Center map it
CONTACT Dongyang Li lidongyang@northwestern.edu EMAIL
CALENDAR McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science
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Sep16
EVENT DETAILS
less*Applicable to new MS students. Does not apply to BSMS and BAMS students.
TIME Monday, September 16, 2024
CONTACT MS Student Help ms-help@cs.northwestern.edu EMAIL
CALENDAR Department of Computer Science (CS)
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Sep16
EVENT DETAILS
lessNew Ph.D. students and CS-affiliated faculty, all CS-affiliated Ph.D. students are welcome to attend the Fall 2024 Ph.D. orientation. This full day orientation various panels to orient PhD affiliates with the department and get answers to questions about PhD life.
TIME Monday, September 16, 2024 at 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
LOCATION Mudd Hall (Mudd Hall ( formerly Seeley G. Mudd Library))3514, Mudd Hall ( formerly Seeley G. Mudd Library) map it
CONTACT PhD Student Help phd-student-help@cs.northwestern.edu EMAIL
CALENDAR Department of Computer Science (CS)
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Sep24
EVENT DETAILS
lessFall 2024 Classes Begin (No Northwestern Monday in Fall)
TIME Tuesday, September 24, 2024
CONTACT Office of the Registrar nu-registrar@northwestern.edu EMAIL
CALENDAR University Academic Calendar
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Sep25
EVENT DETAILS
lessTBA
TIME Wednesday, September 25, 2024 at 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
LOCATION 3514, Mudd Hall ( formerly Seeley G. Mudd Library) map it
CONTACT Wynante R Charles wynante.charles@northwestern.edu EMAIL
CALENDAR Department of Computer Science (CS)
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Sep30
EVENT DETAILS
lessLast day to add a class or change a section for Fall (Last day for tuition adjustment related to enrollment changes (to or from full-time). No reductions are made to bills for dropped or swapped classes after this date)
TIME Monday, September 30, 2024
CONTACT Office of the Registrar nu-registrar@northwestern.edu EMAIL
CALENDAR University Academic Calendar
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Sep30
EVENT DETAILS
lessTBA
TIME Monday, September 30, 2024 at 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
LOCATION 3514, Mudd Hall ( formerly Seeley G. Mudd Library) map it
CONTACT Wynante R Charles wynante.charles@northwestern.edu EMAIL
CALENDAR Department of Computer Science (CS)
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Oct2
EVENT DETAILS
lessTBA
TIME Wednesday, October 2, 2024 at 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
LOCATION 3514, Mudd Hall ( formerly Seeley G. Mudd Library) map it
CONTACT Wynante R Charles wynante.charles@northwestern.edu EMAIL
CALENDAR Department of Computer Science (CS)
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Oct7
EVENT DETAILS
lessTBA
TIME Monday, October 7, 2024 at 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
LOCATION 3514, Mudd Hall ( formerly Seeley G. Mudd Library) map it
CONTACT Wynante R Charles wynante.charles@northwestern.edu EMAIL
CALENDAR Department of Computer Science (CS)