Machine Unlearning: An Overview of the Paradigm Shift in the Evolution of AI

Abstract

The rapid advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) have primarily focused on the process of learning from data to acquire knowledge for smart systems. However, the concept of machine unlearning has emerged as a transformative paradigm shift in the field of AI, due to the amount of false information that have been learned over the past. Machine unlearning refers to the ability of AI systems to reverse or discard previously acquired knowledge or patterns, enabling them to adapt and refine their understanding in response to changing circumstances or new insights. This paper explores the concept of machine unlearning, its implications, methods, challenges, and potential applications. The paper begins by providing an overview of the traditional learning-based approaches in AI and the limitations they impose on system adaptability and agility. It then delves into the concept of machine unlearning, discussing various techniques and algorithms employed to remove or modify learned knowledge from AI models or datasets.