NITheCS Workshop

NITheCS workshop: Machine Learning in Support of Computational and Theoretical Sciences
Knowledge Discovery in Time Series Data
Tuesday, 5 December 2023

Caption: The image above illustrates the influence solar wind plasma and magnetic field parameters has on the prediction of a geomagnetic disturbance index (eh, pink curve). The colour ribbons indicate positive (red) or negative (blue) attribution ascribed to each input feature. We can clearly see the model reacting differently to the phases of a geomagnetic storm.

Scope:

Machine learning techniques play an increasing role in assisting scientists and engineers in knowledge discovery: obtaining novel information from large, possibly complex data sets. Many practically important tasks, such as weather prediction, financial forecasting, or speech processing, are modelled using time series information. Leveraging explainability or interpretability techniques for knowledge discovery is an active field of research, especially in the domain of time series regression problems. Techniques such as feature attribution are used to gain new insights into the underlying processes being modelled, revealing complex links between modelled parameters.

This workshop provides a forum for discussion and brainstorming ideas related to knowledge discovery in time series data. It is supported by the National Institute for Theoretical and Computational Sciences (NITheCS).

We aim to bring together interested researchers who work in this field (whether NITheCS associates or other interested parties) to demonstrate and discuss recent findings and views.

Booking and registration via the SACAIR site is required.

Preliminary workshop programme:
07:30 – 08:30Registration | Tea & Coffee
08:30 – 08:50 Welcome and Introduction
08:50 – 09:30Background: Interpreting deep time series models
09:30 – 10:00Introducing the ‘know-it’ toolkit
10:00 – 10:30Tea & Coffee
10:30 – 12:00Practical demonstration: synthetic data case study
12:00 – 12:30Case studies
12:30 – 13:30Lunch
13:30 – 14:30Case studies (continued)
14:30 – 15:10Planning 2024
15:10 – 15:30Closure
More information on the NITheCS research programme:

“Knowledge Discovery in Time Series Data” is a project within the machine learning research programme of NITheCS.
Deep learning models have become particularly proficient in modelling complex interactions among multiple high-dimensional variables. These models have the ability to reveal interesting patterns in large data sets and have the potential to produce novel insights about the task itself.

Interpreting deep models is an active field of research. Time series models, specifically, are difficult to interpret, as the ”explanations” themselves quickly become too complex to be useful. The “know-it” framework and toolkit aims to simplify the process of developing and interpreting time series models, as well as to evaluate the accuracy of interpretation techniques.

Keywords: Interpretability, explanations, feature attribution, XAI.

Principal Investigators:
Marelie Davel (NWU)
Stefan Lotz (SANSA)

Should you require any additional information please email: nithecs.ml@gmail.com

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