This talk focuses on the estimation of the distribution of unobserved nodes in large random graphs from the observation of very few edges. These graphs naturally model tournaments involving a large number of players (the nodes) where the ability to win of each player is unknown. The players are only partially observed through discrete valued scores (edges) describing the results of contests between players. In this very sparse setting, we present the first nonasymptotic risk bounds for maximum likelihood estimators (MLE) of the unknown distribution of the nodes. The proof relies on the construction of a graphical model encoding conditional dependencies that is extremely efficient to study n-regular graphs obtained using a round-robin scheduling. This graphical model allows to prove geometric loss of memory properties and deduce the asymptotic behavior of the likelihood function. Following a classical construction in learning theory, the asymptotic likelihood is used to define a measure of performance for the MLE. Risk bounds for the MLE are finally obtained by subgaussian deviation results derived from concentration inequalities for Markov chains applied to our graphical model.[-]

This course will give a gentle introduction to SMC (Sequential Monte Carlo algorithms):
• motivation: state-space (hidden Markov) models, sequential analysis of such models; non-sequential problems that may be tackled using SMC.
• Formalism: Markov kernels, Feynman-Kac distributions.
• Monte Carlo tricks: importance sampling and resampling
• standard particle filters: bootstrap, guided, auxiliary
• maximum likelihood estimation of state-stace models
• Bayesian estimation of these models: PMCMC, SMC$^2$.[-]

Data mining methods based on finite mixture models are quite common in many areas of applied science, such as marketing, to segment data and to identify subgroups with specific features. Recent work shows that these methods are also useful in micro econometrics to analyze the behavior of workers in labor markets. Since these data are typically available as time series with discrete states, clustering kernels based on Markov chains with group-specific transition matrices are applied to capture both persistence in the individual time series as well as cross-sectional unobserved heterogeneity. Markov chains clustering has been applied to data from the Austrian labor market, (a) to understanding the effect of labor market entry conditions on long-run career developments for male workers (Frühwirth-Schnatter et al., 2012), (b) to study mothers' long-run career patterns after first birth (Frühwirth-Schnatter et al., 2016), and (c) to study the effects of a plant closure on future career developments for male worker (Frühwirth-Schnatter et al., 2018). To capture non- stationary effects for the later study, time-inhomogeneous Markov chains based on time-varying group specific transition matrices are introduced as clustering kernels. For all applications, a mixture-of-experts formulation helps to understand which workers are likely to belong to a particular group. Finally, it will be shown that Markov chain clustering is also useful in a business application in marketing and helps to identify loyal consumers within a customer relationship management (CRM) program.[-]

Arctic sea-ice extent has been of considerable interest to scientists in recent years, mainly due to its decreasing trend over the past 20 years. In this talk, I propose a hierarchical spatio-temporal generalized linear model (GLM) for binary Arctic-sea-ice data, where data dependencies are introduced through a latent, dynamic, spatio-temporal mixed-effects model. By using a fixed number of spatial basis functions, the resulting model achieves both dimension reduction and non-stationarity for spatial fields at different time points. An EM algorithm is used to estimate model parameters, and an MCMC algorithm is developed to obtain the predictive distribution of the latent spatio-temporal process. The methodology is applied to spatial, binary, Arctic-sea-ice data for each September over the past 20 years, and several posterior summaries are computed to detect changes of Arctic sea-ice cover. The fully Bayesian version is under development awill be discussed.[-]

Capture-Recapture (RC) methodology provides a way to estimate the size of a population from multiple, independent samples. While the was developed more than a century ago to count animal populations, it has only recently become important in Data For Social Good. The large number of samples with varying amounts of intersection and developed over a period of time, so often found in Data For Social Good projects, can greatly complicate conventional RC methodology. These conditions are ideal, however, for Bayesian Capture Recapture. This presentation describes the use of Bayesian Capture Recapture to estimate populations in Data for Social Good. Examples illustrating this method include new work by the author in estimating numbers of human trafficking victims and in estimating the size of hate groups from the analysis of hate speech in social media.[-]

The term ‘Public Access Defibrillation' (PAD) is referred to programs based on the placement of Automated External Defibrillators (AED) in key locations along cities' territory together with the development of a training plan for users (first responders). PAD programs are considered necessary since time for intervention in cases of sudden cardiac arrest outside of a medical environment (out-of-hospital cardiocirculatory arrest, OHCA) is strongly limited: survival potential decreases from a 67% baseline by 7 to 10% for each minute of delay in first defibrillation. However, it is widely recognized that current PAD performance is largely below its full potential. We provide a Bayesian spatio-temporal statistical model for predidicting OHCAs. Then we construct a risk map for Ticino, adjusted for demographic covariates, that explains and forecasts the spatial distribution of OHCAs, their temporal dynamics, and how the spatial distribution changes over time. The objective is twofold: to efficiently estimate, in each area of interest, the occurrence intensity of the OHCA event and to suggest a new optimized distribution of AEDs that accounts for population exposure to the geographic risk of OHCA occurrence and that includes both displacement of current devices and installation of new ones.[-]

​L'intérêt pour l'intelligence artificielle (IA) s'est considérablement accru ces dernières années et l'IA a été appliquée avec succès à des problèmes de société. Le Big Data, le recueil et l'analyse des données, la statistique se penchent sur l'amélioration de la société de demain. Big Data en santé publique, dans le domaine de la justice pénale, de la sécurité aéroportuaire, des changements climatiques, de la protection des espèces en voie de disparition, etc.

​C'est sur ces grands défis actuels et à venir que se penche Kerrie Mengersen, statisticienne australienne en résidence pour six mois au Cirm-Luminy (titulaire de la Chaire Jean-Morlet), aux côtés de Pierre Pudlo, Mathématicien à Aix-Marseille Université.

​La Chaire Jean-Morlet et le Cirm profitent de la richesse scientifique de cette résidence de chercheurs pour proposer une conférence à destination des lycéens et étudiants : seront ainsi abordées les différentes problématiques pour lesquelles l'intelligence artificielle et le big data jouent un rôle considérable.[-]