Semi-Supervised Clustering of Sparse Graphs: Crossing the Information-Theoretic Threshold

Year:    2024

Author:    Junda Sheng, Thomas Strohmer

Journal of Machine Learning, Vol. 3 (2024), Iss. 1 : pp. 64–106

Abstract

The stochastic block model is a canonical random graph model for clustering and community detection on network-structured data. Decades of extensive study on the problem have established many profound results, among which the phase transition at the Kesten-Stigum threshold is particularly interesting both from a mathematical and an applied standpoint. It states that no estimator based on the network topology can perform substantially better than chance on sparse graphs if the model parameter is below a certain threshold. Nevertheless, if we slightly extend the horizon to the ubiquitous semi-supervised setting, such a fundamental limitation will disappear completely. We prove that with an arbitrary fraction of the labels revealed, the detection problem is feasible throughout the parameter domain. Moreover, we introduce two efficient algorithms, one combinatorial and one based on optimization, to integrate label information with graph structures. Our work brings a new perspective to the stochastic model of networks and semidefinite program research.

Journal Article Details

Publisher Name:    Global Science Press

Language:    English

DOI:    https://doi.org/10.4208/jml.230624

Journal of Machine Learning, Vol. 3 (2024), Iss. 1 : pp. 64–106

Published online:    2024-01

AMS Subject Headings:   

Copyright:    COPYRIGHT: © Global Science Press

Pages:    43

Keywords:    Clustering Semi-supervised learning Stochastic block model Kesten-Stigum threshold Semidefinite programming.

Author Details

Junda Sheng

Thomas Strohmer