Depth induces scale-averaging in overparameterized linear Bayesian neural networks
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Abstract (arXiv)
Inference in deep Bayesian neural networks is only fully understood in the infinite-width limit, where the posterior flexibility afforded by increased depth washes out and the posterior predictive collapses to a shallow Gaussian process. Here, we interpret finite deep linear Bayesian neural networks as data-dependent scale mixtures of Gaussian process predictors across output channels. We leverage this observation to study representation learning in these networks, allowing us to connect limiting results obtained in previous studies within a unified framework. In total, these results advance our analytical understanding of how depth affects inference in a simple class of Bayesian neural networks.
Key facts. Cited by 7 papers in the map (data through 14 Oct 2026). Builds on 19 of its 40 references that are in the map. First posted on arXiv 23 Nov 2021.
Builds on
19 of 40 references.
References · 19
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7 more
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Citing papers per year: 2022: 2; 2023: 2; 2024: 1; 2025: 2.
7 papers.
- 2022Self-Consistent Dynamical Field Theory of Kernel Evolution in Wide Neural Networkscited by 105
- 2023Dynamics of Finite Width Kernel and Prediction Fluctuations in Mean Field Neural Networkscited by 43
- 2022Contrasting random and learned features in deep Bayesian linear regressioncited by 24
- 2023Learning curves for deep structured Gaussian feature modelscited by 13
- 2025From Kernels to Features: A Multi-Scale Adaptive Theory of Feature Learningcited by 10
- 2025Models of Heavy-Tailed Mechanistic Universalitycited by 10
- 2024Bayesian RG Flow in Neural Network Field Theoriescited by 9
- 2025Models of Heavy-Tailed Mechanistic Universality4 Jun 2025
- 2025From Kernels to Features: A Multi-Scale Adaptive Theory of Feature Learning5 Feb 2025
- 2024Bayesian RG Flow in Neural Network Field Theories27 May 2024
- 2023Dynamics of Finite Width Kernel and Prediction Fluctuations in Mean Field Neural Networks6 Apr 2023
- 2023Learning curves for deep structured Gaussian feature models1 Mar 2023
- 2022Self-Consistent Dynamical Field Theory of Kernel Evolution in Wide Neural Networks19 May 2022
- 2022Contrasting random and learned features in deep Bayesian linear regression1 Mar 2022