Large data and zero noise limits of graph-based semi-supervised learning algorithms

Scalings in which the graph Laplacian approaches a differential operator in the large graph limit are used to develop understanding of a number of algorithms for semi-supervised learning; in particular, the probit algorithm, level set and kriging methods. Both optimization and Bayesian approaches are considered, based around a regularizing quadratic form found from an affine transformation of the Laplacian, raised to a possibly fractional, exponent. Conditions on the parameters defining this quadratic form are identified under which well-defined limiting continuum analogues of the optimization and Bayesian semi-supervised learning problems may be found, thereby shedding light on the design of algorithms in the large graph setting. The large graph limits of the optimization formulations are tackled through G-convergence, using the recently introduced TLp metric. The small labeling noise limits of the Bayesian formulations are also identified, and contrasted with pre-existing harmonic function approaches to the problem. (C) 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.