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Threshold Modulation for Online Test-Time Adaptation of Spiking Neural Networks

arXiv.org Artificial Intelligence

--Recently, spiking neural networks (SNNs), deployed on neuromorphic chips, provide highly efficient solutions on edge devices in different scenarios. However, their ability to adapt to distribution shifts after deployment has become a crucial challenge. Online test-time adaptation (OTT A) offers a promising solution by enabling models to dynamically adjust to new data distributions without requiring source data or labeled target samples. Nevertheless, existing OTT A methods are largely designed for traditional artificial neural networks and are not well-suited for SNNs. T o address this gap, we propose a low-power, neuromorphic chip-friendly online test-time adaptation framework, aiming to enhance model generalization under distribution shifts. The proposed approach is called Threshold Modulation (TM), which dynamically adjusts the firing threshold through neuronal dynamics-inspired normalization, being more compatible with neuromorphic hardware. Experimental results on benchmark datasets demonstrate the effectiveness of this method in improving the robustness of SNNs against distribution shifts while maintaining low computational cost. The proposed method offers a practical solution for online test-time adaptation of SNNs, providing inspiration for the design of future neuromorphic chips. In recent years, with the rapid development of high-performance hardware and training algorithms, modern deep artifical neural networks (ANNs) can have billions, or even hundreds of billions, of parameters, requiring large-scale computational resource for training and inference.


A Deep Reinforcement Learning Environment for Particle Robot Navigation and Object Manipulation

arXiv.org Artificial Intelligence

Particle robots are novel biologically-inspired robotic systems where locomotion can be achieved collectively and robustly, but not independently. While its control is currently limited to a hand-crafted policy for basic locomotion tasks, such a multi-robot system could be potentially controlled via Deep Reinforcement Learning (DRL) for different tasks more efficiently. However, the particle robot system presents a new set of challenges for DRL differing from existing swarm robotics systems: the low degrees of freedom of each robot and the increased necessity of coordination between robots. We present a 2D particle robot simulator using the OpenAI Gym interface and Pymunk as the physics engine, and introduce new tasks and challenges to research the underexplored applications of DRL in the particle robot system. Moreover, we use Stable-baselines3 to provide a set of benchmarks for the tasks. Current baseline DRL algorithms show signs of achieving the tasks but are yet unable to reach the performance of the hand-crafted policy. Further development of DRL algorithms is necessary in order to accomplish the proposed tasks.


On Corruption-Robustness in Performative Reinforcement Learning

arXiv.org Artificial Intelligence

In performative Reinforcement Learning (RL), an agent faces a policy-dependent environment: the reward and transition functions depend on the agent's policy. Prior work on performative RL has studied the convergence of repeated retraining approaches to a performatively stable policy. In the finite sample regime, these approaches repeatedly solve for a saddle point of a convex-concave objective, which estimates the Lagrangian of a regularized version of the reinforcement learning problem. In this paper, we aim to extend such repeated retraining approaches, enabling them to operate under corrupted data. More specifically, we consider Huber's $ฮต$-contamination model, where an $ฮต$ fraction of data points is corrupted by arbitrary adversarial noise. We propose a repeated retraining approach based on convex-concave optimization under corrupted gradients and a novel problem-specific robust mean estimator for the gradients. We prove that our approach exhibits last-iterate convergence to an approximately stable policy, with the approximation error linear in $\sqrtฮต$. We experimentally demonstrate the importance of accounting for corruption in performative RL.


Anticipating Gaming to Incentivize Improvement: Guiding Agents in (Fair) Strategic Classification

arXiv.org Artificial Intelligence

While the use of MLdriven systems can enhance efficiency, it can also drive the humans who are subject to algorithmic decisions to adjust their behavior accordingly. Examples include Uber drivers coordinating their behavior in response to its surge pricing algorithm [Mรถhlmann and Zalmanson, 2017], applicants selecting keywords and formatting to pass automated resume screening [Forbes, 2022], and Facebook users adjusting their posting and content interaction choices in response to the platforms' curation algorithms [Eslami et al., 2016]. These can be viewed as strategic responses by rational human subjects in these systems, motivating a game-theoretical analysis of learning algorithms with human in the loop. Earlier works on the study of strategic humans facing ML systems largely focused on scenarios where users can strategically alter only their observable data (e.g., students cheating to obtain better test scores, job applicants making formatting or wording changes to their CV, or loan applicants opening several new accounts to increase their credit scores) to receive a favorable decision (e.g., be accepted to a school, job opening, or loan); see, e.g., [Hu et al., 2019, Milli et al., 2019]. This strategic behavior is referred to as strategic manipulation, where agents change their features without changing their true qualification states. This can be interpreted as cheating the machine learning algorithm: such agents may appear to be more qualified, without being truly suitable for a favorable outcome.


Would You Rely on an Eerie Agent? A Systematic Review of the Impact of the Uncanny Valley Effect on Trust in Human-Agent Interaction

arXiv.org Artificial Intelligence

Trust is a fundamental component of human-agent interaction. With the increasing presence of artificial agents in daily life, it is essential to understand how people perceive and trust these agents. One of the key challenges affecting this perception is the Uncanny Valley Effect (UVE), where increasingly human-like artificial beings can be perceived as eerie or repelling. Despite growing interest in trust and the UVE, existing research varies widely in terms of how these concepts are defined and operationalized. This inconsistency raises important questions about how and under what conditions the UVE influences trust in agents. A systematic understanding of their relationship is currently lacking. This review aims to examine the impact of the UVE on human trust in agents and to identify methodological patterns, limitations, and gaps in the existing empirical literature. Following PRISMA guidelines, a systematic search identified 53 empirical studies that investigated both UVE-related constructs and trust or trust-related outcomes. Studies were analyzed based on a structured set of categories, including types of agents and interactions, methodological and measurement approaches, and key findings. The results of our systematic review reveal that most studies rely on static images or hypothetical scenarios with limited real-time interaction, and the majority use subjective trust measures. This review offers a novel framework for classifying trust measurement approaches with regard to the best-practice criteria for empirically investigating the UVE. As the first systematic attempt to map the intersection of UVE and trust, this review contributes to a deeper understanding of their interplay and offers a foundation for future research. Keywords: the uncanny valley effect, trust, human-likeness, affinity response, human-agent interaction


Safety by Measurement: A Systematic Literature Review of AI Safety Evaluation Methods

arXiv.org Artificial Intelligence

As frontier AI systems advance toward transformative capabilities, we need a parallel transformation in how we measure and evaluate these systems to ensure safety and inform governance. While benchmarks have been the primary method for estimating model capabilities, they often fail to establish true upper bounds or predict deployment behavior. This literature review consolidates the rapidly evolving field of AI safety evaluations, proposing a systematic taxonomy around three dimensions: what properties we measure, how we measure them, and how these measurements integrate into frameworks. We show how evaluations go beyond benchmarks by measuring what models can do when pushed to the limit (capabilities), the behavioral tendencies exhibited by default (propensities), and whether our safety measures remain effective even when faced with subversive adversarial AI (control). These properties are measured through behavioral techniques like scaffolding, red teaming and supervised fine-tuning, alongside internal techniques such as representation analysis and mechanistic interpretability. We provide deeper explanations of some safety-critical capabilities like cybersecurity exploitation, deception, autonomous replication, and situational awareness, alongside concerning propensities like power-seeking and scheming. The review explores how these evaluation methods integrate into governance frameworks to translate results into concrete development decisions. We also highlight challenges to safety evaluations - proving absence of capabilities, potential model sandbagging, and incentives for "safetywashing" - while identifying promising research directions. By synthesizing scattered resources, this literature review aims to provide a central reference point for understanding AI safety evaluations.


Low-bit Model Quantization for Deep Neural Networks: A Survey

arXiv.org Artificial Intelligence

With unprecedented rapid development, deep neural networks (DNNs) have deeply influenced almost all fields. However, their heavy computation costs and model sizes are usually unacceptable in real-world deployment. Model quantization, an effective weight-lighting technique, has become an indispensable procedure in the whole deployment pipeline. The essence of quantization acceleration is the conversion from continuous floating-point numbers to discrete integer ones, which significantly speeds up the memory I/O and calculation, i.e., addition and multiplication. However, performance degradation also comes with the conversion because of the loss of precision. Therefore, it has become increasingly popular and critical to investigate how to perform the conversion and how to compensate for the information loss. This article surveys the recent five-year progress towards low-bit quantization on DNNs. We discuss and compare the state-of-the-art quantization methods and classify them into 8 main categories and 24 sub-categories according to their core techniques. Furthermore, we shed light on the potential research opportunities in the field of model quantization. A curated list of model quantization is provided at https://github.com/Kai-Liu001/Awesome-Model-Quantization.


GenAI in Entrepreneurship: a systematic review of generative artificial intelligence in entrepreneurship research: current issues and future directions

arXiv.org Artificial Intelligence

Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) and Large Language Models (LLMs) are recognized to have significant effects on industry and business dynamics, not least because of their impact on the preconditions for entrepreneurship. There is still a lack of knowledge of GenAI as a theme in entrepreneurship research. This paper presents a systematic literature review aimed at identifying and analyzing the evolving landscape of research on the effects of GenAI on entrepreneurship. We analyze 83 peer-reviewed articles obtained from leading academic databases: Web of Science and Scopus. Using natural language processing and unsupervised machine learning techniques with TF-IDF vectorization, Principal Component Analysis (PCA), and hierarchical clustering, five major thematic clusters are identified: (1) Digital Transformation and Behavioral Models, (2) GenAI-Enhanced Education and Learning Systems, (3) Sustainable Innovation and Strategic AI Impact, (4) Business Models and Market Trends, and (5) Data-Driven Technological Trends in Entrepreneurship. Based on the review, we discuss future research directions, gaps in the current literature, as well as ethical concerns raised in the literature. We highlight the need for more macro-level research on GenAI and LLMs as external enablers for entrepreneurship and for research on effective regulatory frameworks that facilitate business experimentation, innovation, and further technology development.


Will AI become your new favorite study buddy?

Popular Science

Get lifetime access to this AI tutor app, SpeedTutorAI, for 29.97 for a limited time (reg. SpeedTutorAI is an AI-powered homework helper and study assistant that acts like a personal tutor on your iPhone or iPad. Unlike basic virtual assistants like Siri, this app goes further, offering support with math problems, lecture summaries, and even complex topic explanations. Whether you're cramming for finals or just need quick clarification on a tough concept, this app is built to help. If you've ever tried recording a class on your phone only to never revisit the audio file, SpeedTutorAI offers a smarter solution.


Mapping User Trust in Vision Language Models: Research Landscape, Challenges, and Prospects

arXiv.org Artificial Intelligence

The rapid adoption of Vision Language Models (VLMs), pre-trained on large image-text and video-text datasets, calls for protecting and informing users about when to trust these systems. This survey reviews studies on trust dynamics in user-VLM interactions, through a multi-disciplinary taxonomy encompassing different cognitive science capabilities, collaboration modes, and agent behaviours. Literature insights and findings from a workshop with prospective VLM users inform preliminary requirements for future VLM trust studies.