Hierarchy-preserving learning for multi-label classification

Abstract

A method implemented by one or more computing systems includes accessing a set of content objects, in which each content object of the set of content objects is pre-labeled with concepts of a plurality of concepts organized according to a hierarchical relationship. The method further includes training, by a machine-learning model, a classification model for classifying content objects within the set of content objects. Training the classification model includes determining, for each object, a plurality of classification values corresponding to the plurality of concepts, calculating a loss for each of the plurality of classification values based on the pre-labeled concepts associated with the object, utilizing a hierarchical constraint loss function to calculate a maximum loss based on the calculated loss for each of the plurality of classification values, and updating the classification model based on the hierarchical constraint loss function until the maximum loss satisfies a predetermined criterion.