System and method for adaptive pruning

A method of searching data in databases using an ensemble of models, said method comprising:

• ordering models within said ensemble in order of prediction accuracy, with the most accurate model being first in said order, using a computer;
• calculating confidence values of each of said sub-ensembles, using said computer;
• selecting a sub-ensemble of said models that meets a given level of confidence, wherein models are joined together in said sub-ensemble in said order of prediction accuracy, such that said sub-ensemble include only the most accurate models, and wherein as the level of confidence is raised, a sub-ensemble that has more models will be selected in said selecting process, and as the level of confidence is lowered, a sub-ensemble that has fewer models will be selected in said selecting process;
• and
• applying said sub-ensemble, in place of said ensemble, to an example to make a prediction, using said computer.

A method of searching data in databases using an ensemble of models, said method comprising:

• performing training comprising:
• ordering models within said ensemble in order of prediction accuracy, with the most accurate model being first in said order, using a computer;
• joining different numbers of models together to form sub-ensembles, wherein models are joined together in said sub-ensemble in said order of prediction accuracy, using said computer;
• calculating confidence values of each of said sub-ensembles;
• and
• making a prediction comprising:
• selecting a sub-ensemble of said models that meets a given level of confidence, using said computer, wherein as the level of confidence is raised, a sub-ensemble that has more models will be selected in said selecting process, and as the level of confidence is lowered, a sub-ensemble that has fewer models will be selected in said selecting process;
• and
• applying said sub-ensemble, in place of said ensemble, to an example to make a prediction, using said computer.

A non-transitory program storage device readable a computer tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by said computer for performing a method of searching data in databases using an ensemble of models, said method comprising:

• ordering models within said ensemble in order of prediction accuracy, with the most accurate model being first in said order, using a computer;
• calculating confidence values of each of said sub-ensembles, using said computer;
• selecting a sub-ensemble of said models that meets a given level of confidence, using said computer, wherein models are joined together in said sub-ensemble in said order of prediction accuracy, and wherein as the level of confidence is raised, a sub-ensemble that has more models will be selected in said selecting process, and as the level of confidence is lowered, a sub-ensemble that has fewer models will be selected in said selecting process;
• and
• applying said sub-ensemble, in place of said ensemble, to an example to make a prediction, using said computer.