Dynamically generated compact neural networks for task progressive learning

Task progressive learning is often required where the training data become available in batches over the time. Such learning has the characteristic of using an existing model trained over a set of tasks to learn a new task while maintaining the accuracy of older tasks. Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) have a higher capacity for progressive learning than other traditional machine learning models due to the availability of a large number of ANN parameters. A progressive model that uses a fully connected ANN suffers from long training time, overfitting, and excessive resource usage. It is therefore necessary to generate the ANN incrementally as new tasks arrive and new training is needed. In this paper, an incremental algorithm is presented to dynamically generate a compact neural network by pruning and expanding the synaptic weights based on the learning requirements of the new tasks. The algorithm is implemented, analyzed, and validated using the cloud network security datasets, UNSW and AWID, as well as the image dataset, MNIST.