Efficient preference learning with pairwise continuous observations and Gaussian Processes

Abstract

Human preferences can effectively be elicited using pairwise comparisons and in this paper current state-of-the-art based on binary decisions is extended by a new paradigm which allows subjects to convey their degree of preference as a continuous but bounded response. For this purpose, a novel Beta-type likelihood is proposed and applied in a Bayesian regression framework using Gaussian Process priors. Posterior estimation and inference is performed using a Laplace approximation. The potential of the paradigm is demonstrated and discussed in terms of learning rates and robustness by evaluating the predictive performance under various noise conditions on a synthetic dataset. It is demonstrated that the learning rate of the novel paradigm is not only faster under ideal conditions, where continuous responses are naturally more informative than binary decisions, but also under adverse conditions where it seemingly preserves the robustness of the binary paradigm, suggesting that the new paradigm is robust to human inconsistency.