Sample and Computationally Efficient Robust Learning of Gaussian Single-Index Models
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Abstract (arXiv)
A single-index model (SIM) is a function of the form σ(wast · x), where σ: ℝ → ℝ is a known link function and wast is a hidden unit vector. We study the task of learning SIMs in the agnostic (a.k.a. adversarial label noise) model with respect to the L22-loss under the Gaussian distribution. Our main result is a sample and computationally efficient agnostic proper learner that attains L22-error of O(OPT)+ε, where OPT is the optimal loss. The sample complexity of our algorithm is tildeO(d^lceil kast/2rceil+d/ε), where kast is the information-exponent of σ corresponding to the degree of its first non-zero Hermite coefficient. This sample bound nearly matches known CSQ lower bounds, even in the realizable setting. Prior algorithmic work in this setting had focused on learning in the realizable case or in the presence of semi-random noise. Prior computationally efficient robust learners required significantly stronger assumptions on the link function.
Key facts. Cited by 4 papers in the map (data through 7 Oct 2026). Builds on 26 of its 42 references that are in the map. First posted on arXiv 8 Nov 2024.
Builds on
26 of 42 references.
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14 more
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Citing papers per year: 2025: 3; 2026: 1.
4 papers.
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- 2025A Derandomization Framework for Structure Discovery: Applications in Neural Networks and Beyond22 Oct 2025
- 2025Robustly Learning Monotone Single-Index Models6 Aug 2025