A Fast Algorithm for Adaptive Private Mean Estimation in Machine Learning

Explore a Google TechTalk on a fast algorithm for adaptive private mean estimation, presented by John Duchi as part of the Privacy ML series. Delve into the design of an (ε,δ)-differentially private algorithm for estimating the mean of a d-variate distribution with unknown covariance Σ. Learn how this algorithm achieves optimal convergence rates with respect to the induced Mahalanobis norm, computes in O~(nd2) time, and offers near-linear sample complexity for sub-Gaussian distributions. Discover its ability to handle degenerate or low-rank Σ and adaptively extend beyond sub-Gaussianity. Understand the significance of this work in overcoming previous limitations of exponential computation time or superlinear scaling. Examine topics such as the Laplace Mechanism, truncation, Coin Press, the proposed Test Release Framework, and stable mean estimation. Access the related paper on arXiv for further insights into this groundbreaking approach to private mean estimation.