# The Connection between Kriging and Large Neural Networks

arXiv: https://arxiv.org/abs/2602.08427 · HTML: https://mlsanity.com/paper/2602.08427/

## Key facts

- No citing papers in the map yet (data through 14 Oct 2026).
- Builds on 6 of its 20 references that are in the map.
- First posted on arXiv 9 Feb 2026.

## Builds on (most cited first, 6 of 6)

- [Neural Tangent Kernel: Convergence and Generalization in Neural Networks](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1806.07572/) (2018)
- [On Lazy Training in Differentiable Programming](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1812.07956/) (2018)
- [Deep Neural Networks as Gaussian Processes](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1711.00165/) (2017)
- [Tensor Programs I: Wide Feedforward or Recurrent Neural Networks of Any Architecture are Gaussian Processes](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1910.12478/) (2019)
- [Deep Convolutional Networks as shallow Gaussian Processes](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1808.05587/) (2018)
- [Explaining and Connecting Kriging with Gaussian Process Regression](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2408.02331/) (2024)

## Abstract (arXiv)

AI has impacted many disciplines and is nowadays ubiquitous. In particular, spatial statistics is in a pivotal moment where it will increasingly intertwine with AI. In this scenario, a relevant question is what relationship spatial statistics models have with machine learning (ML) models, if any. In particular, in this paper, we explore the connections between Kriging and neural networks. At first glance, they may appear unrelated. Kriging - and its ML counterpart, Gaussian process regression - are grounded in probability theory and stochastic processes, whereas many ML models are extensively considered Black-Box models. Nevertheless, they are strongly related. We study their connections and revisit the relevant literature. The understanding of their relations and the combination of both perspectives may enhance ML techniques by making them more interpretable, reliable, and spatially aware.