Application-Driven Innovation in Machine Learning
Abstract
In this position paper, we argue that application-driven research has been systemically under-valued in the machine learning community. As applications of machine learning proliferate, innovative algorithms inspired by specific real-world challenges have become increasingly important. Such work offers the potential for significant impact not merely in domains of application but also in machine learning itself. In this paper, we describe the paradigm of application-driven research in machine learning, contrasting it with the more standard paradigm of methods-driven research. We illustrate the benefits of application-driven machine learning and how this approach can productively synergize with methods-driven work. Despite these benefits, we find that reviewing, hiring, and teaching practices in machine learning often hold back application-driven innovation. We outline how these processes may be improved.
Cite
@article{arxiv.2403.17381,
title = {Application-Driven Innovation in Machine Learning},
author = {David Rolnick and Alan Aspuru-Guzik and Sara Beery and Bistra Dilkina and Priya L. Donti and Marzyeh Ghassemi and Hannah Kerner and Claire Monteleoni and Esther Rolf and Milind Tambe and Adam White},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2403.17381},
year = {2025}
}
Comments
12 pages, 3 figures