Beyond the Generative Learning Trilemma: generative model assessment in data scarcity domainsShow others and affiliations
2026 (English)In: IEEE Access, E-ISSN 2169-3536, Vol. 14, p. 117679-117696
Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]
Data scarcity remains a critical bottleneck impeding technological advancements across various domains, including but not limited to medicine and precision agriculture. To address this challenge, we explore the potential of Deep Generative Models (DGMs) in producing synthetic data that satisfies the Generative Learning Trilemma: fidelity, diversity, and sampling efficiency. However, recognizing that these criteria alone are insufficient for practical applications, we extend the trilemma to include utility, robustness, and privacy, factors crucial for ensuring the applicability of DGMs in real-world scenarios. Evaluating these metrics becomes particularly challenging in data-scarce environments, as DGMs traditionally rely on large datasets to perform optimally. This limitation is especially pronounced in domains like medicine and precision agriculture, where ensuring acceptable model performance under data constraints is vital. To address these challenges, we assess the Generative Learning Trilemma in data-scarcity settings using state-of-the-art evaluation metrics, comparing three prominent DGMs: Variational Autoencoders (VAEs), Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs), and Diffusion Models (DMs). Furthermore, we propose a comprehensive framework to assess utility, robustness, and privacy in synthetic data generated by DGMs. Our findings demonstrate varying strengths among DGMs, with each model exhibiting unique advantages based on the application context. This study broadens the scope of the Generative Learning Trilemma, aligning it with real-world demands and providing actionable guidance for selecting DGMs tailored to specific applications.
Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), 2026. Vol. 14, p. 117679-117696
Keywords [en]
Data Scarcity, Deep Generative Models, Generative Learning Trilemma, Medicine, Precision Agriculture, Synthetic Data
National Category
Computer Sciences
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:umu:diva-257595DOI: 10.1109/ACCESS.2026.3718041ISI: 001843514900034Scopus ID: 2-s2.0-105046334797OAI: oai:DiVA.org:umu-257595DiVA, id: diva2:2095259
2026-08-252026-08-252026-08-25Bibliographically approved