Uncertainty Estimation in Multi-Agent Distributed Learning

Abstract: Traditionally, IoT edge devices have been perceived primarily as low-power components with limited capabilities for autonomous operations. Yet, with emerging advancements in embedded AI hardware design, a foundational shift paves the way for future possibilities. Thus, the aim of the KDT NEUROKIT2E project is to establish a new open-source framework to further facilitate AI applications on edge devices by developing new methods in quantization, pruning-aware training, and sparsification. These innovations hold the potential to expand the functional range of such devices considerably, enabling them to manage complex Machine Learning (ML) tasks utilizing local resources and laying the groundwork for innovative learning approaches. In the context of 6G's transformative potential, distributed learning among independent agents emerges as a pivotal application, attributed to 6G networks' support for ultra-reliable low-latency communication, enhanced data rates, and advanced edge computing capabilities. Our research focuses on the mechanisms and methodologies that allow edge network-enabled agents to engage in collaborative learning in distributed environments. Particularly, one of the key issues within distributed collaborative learning is determining the degree of confidence in the learning results, considering the spatio-temporal locality of data sets perceived by independent agents.