Sparse Neural Networks: From Practice to Theory

Abstract:  A sparse neural network (NN) has most of its parameters set to zero and is traditionally considered as the product of NN compression (i.e., pruning). Yet recently, sparsity has exposed itself as an important bridge for modeling the underlying low dimensionality of NNs, for understanding their generalization, optimization dynamics, implicit regularization, expressivity, and robustness. Deep NNs learned with sparsity-aware priors have also demonstrated significantly improved performances through a full stack of applied work on algorithms, systems, and hardware. In this talk, I plan to cover some of our recent progress on the practical,  theoretical, and scientific aspects of sparse NNs. I will try scratching the surface of three aspects: (1) practically, why one should love a sparse NN, beyond just a post-training NN compression tool; (2) theoretically, what are some guarantees that one can expect from sparse NNs; and (3) what is future prospect of exploiting sparsity.

Bio:  Professor Zhangyang “Atlas” Wang is currently the Jack Kilby/Texas Instruments Endowed Assistant Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at The University of Texas at Austin, leading the VITA group (https://vita-group.github.io/). Meanwhile, in a part-time role, he serves as the Director of AI Research & Technology for Picsart. During 2021 – 2022, he held a visiting researcher position at Amazon Search. He received his Ph.D. degree in ECE from UIUC in 2016, advised by Professor Thomas S. Huang; and his B.E. degree in EEIS from USTC in 2012. Prof. Wang has broad research interests spanning from the theory to application aspects of machine learning. Most recently, he studies efficient ML / learning with sparsity, robust & trustworthy ML, AutoML / learning to optimize (L2O), and graph ML, as well as their applications in computer vision and interdisciplinary science. His research is supported by NSF,  DARPA, ARL, ARO, IARPA, DOE, as well as dozens of industry and university grants. His students and himself have received many research awards and scholarships, as well as extensive media coverage.

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Meeting ID: 914 1429 7851

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Zoom Passcode information is also available upon request to Michele Feldkamp ([email protected]).