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Machine learning and the quest for objectivity in climate model parameterization

Jebeile, Julie and Lam, Vincent and Majszak, Mason and Räz, Tim (2023) Machine learning and the quest for objectivity in climate model parameterization. Climatic Change, 176 (101).

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Abstract

Parameterization and parameter tuning are central aspects of climate modeling, and there is widespread consensus that these procedures involve certain subjective elements. Even if the use of these subjective elements is not necessarily epistemically problematic, there is an intuitive appeal for replacing them with more objective (automated) methods, such as machine learning. Relying on several case studies, we argue that, while machine learning techniques may help to improve climate model parameterization in several ways, they still require expert judgment that involves subjective elements not so different from the ones arising in standard parameterization and tuning. The use of machine learning in parameterizations is an art as well as a science and requires careful supervision.


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Item Type: Published Article or Volume
Creators:
CreatorsEmailORCID
Jebeile, Juliejulie.jebeile@unibe.ch0000-0002-7164-5848
Lam, Vincentvincent.lam@unibe.ch
Majszak, Mason
Räz, Timtim.raez@unibe.ch
Keywords: Climate modeling · Parameterizations · Parameter tuning · Objectivity · Subjectivity · Expert judgement · Machine learning · Deep neural networks · Gaussian processes
Subjects: Specific Sciences > Climate Science and Meteorology
General Issues > Computer Simulation
Specific Sciences > Artificial Intelligence > Machine Learning
General Issues > Models and Idealization
General Issues > Technology
General Issues > Values In Science
Depositing User: Tim Räz
Date Deposited: 29 Aug 2023 19:04
Last Modified: 29 Aug 2023 19:04
Item ID: 22464
Journal or Publication Title: Climatic Change
Publisher: Springer
Official URL: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10584-0...
DOI or Unique Handle: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10584-023-03532-1
Subjects: Specific Sciences > Climate Science and Meteorology
General Issues > Computer Simulation
Specific Sciences > Artificial Intelligence > Machine Learning
General Issues > Models and Idealization
General Issues > Technology
General Issues > Values In Science
Date: 18 July 2023
Volume: 176
Number: 101
URI: https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/22464

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