Safety in the Face of Unknown Unknowns: Algorithm Fusion in Data-driven Engineering Systems

Nina Kshetry, Lav R. Varshney

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

Most current machine learning algorithms make highly confident yet incorrect classifications when faced with unexpected test samples from an unknown distribution different from training; such epistemic uncertainty (unknown unknowns) can have catastrophic safety implications. In this conceptual paper, we propose a method to leverage engineering science knowledge to control epistemic uncertainty and maintain decision safety. The basic idea is an algorithm fusion approach that combines data-driven learned models with physical system knowledge, to operate between the extremes of purely data-driven classifiers and purely engineering science rules. This facilitates the safe operation of data-driven engineering systems, such as wastewater treatment plants.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publication2019 IEEE International Conference on Acoustics, Speech, and Signal Processing, ICASSP 2019 - Proceedings
PublisherInstitute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.
Pages8162-8166
Number of pages5
ISBN (Electronic)9781479981311
DOIs
StatePublished - May 2019
Externally publishedYes
Event44th IEEE International Conference on Acoustics, Speech, and Signal Processing, ICASSP 2019 - Brighton, United Kingdom
Duration: May 12 2019May 17 2019

Publication series

NameICASSP, IEEE International Conference on Acoustics, Speech and Signal Processing - Proceedings
Volume2019-May
ISSN (Print)1520-6149

Conference

Conference44th IEEE International Conference on Acoustics, Speech, and Signal Processing, ICASSP 2019
Country/TerritoryUnited Kingdom
CityBrighton
Period5/12/195/17/19

Keywords

  • AI safety
  • algorithm fusion
  • epistemic uncertainty
  • metacognition
  • wastewater treatment

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Software
  • Signal Processing
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering

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