Understanding Transfer Learning – The Challenges and Opportunities Introduction to Transfer Learning Transfer learning is a technique in machine learning where a model developed for one task is reused as the starting point for a model on a second task. This method is particularly useful when the second task has limited data, as it allows the model to leverage the knowledge it gained during the first task, thereby reducing the training time and improving performance. However, applying transfer learning effectively requires a deep understanding of both the original task and the new task, as well as how the model’s learned features will transfer. The Challenge of Transfer Learning for Small Tasks When dealing with small tasks—tasks that are simple or have limited data—transfer learning may not always yield the expected benefits. Let’s explore why this is the case by breaking down the issues discussed in the provided images: 1. Initial Setup and Model A: Imagine you have a neural network (Model A) trained on a multi-class classification problem using the Fashion MNIST dataset. This dataset might include various classes of clothing items, such as T-shirts, trousers, pullovers, dresses, etc. Model A, trained on these classes, performs well, achieving over 90%…