Thursday Morning Talk: Verena Wagner (University of Konstanz), “On Pause: Suspending Judgment and Abstaining in Machine Learning”

Loading Events

Thursday Morning Talk: Verena Wagner (University of Konstanz), “On Pause: Suspending Judgment and Abstaining in Machine Learning”

Abstract:

Machine Learning (ML) systems typically yield definitive outputs, even when the underlying probabilities do not justify a decision. This poses a significant challenge in medical applications, where patients rely on individualized diagnoses, treatments, and prognoses. A recent advancement in ML research addresses this issue by introducing so-called “abstention models,” which enable ML systems to provide neutral outputs. From the perspective of a philosopher who works on cognitive neutrality and the suspension of judgment in human agents, this is an interesting field to explore. In this talk, I will introduce my philosophical theory of cognitive neutrality, which promotes various ways of suspending judgment. Against this backdrop, I will explore different abstention models and look for similarities and differences between suspension of judgment in humans and abstention in ML systems. In particular, I will examine whether the distinctions outlined in my cognitive neutrality framework also manifest in different models of abstention.

 

This talk will take place in person at SCIoI.

Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash.

***Want to attend one of our events? Sign up here.
To get regular updates, subscribe to our mailing list from this page.

Event Details

Date: May 30 @ 10:00 am - 11:00 am CEST
Time: 10:00 am - 11:00 am
Venue: MAR 2.057