ICANN 2026 Workshop

Theoretical Analysis of Deep Learning

A focused workshop on theory-driven understanding of deep learning: generalization, optimization, approximation, representation learning, and operator learning.

📍 Padua, Italy · 📅 September 14 - 17, 2026

About

Motivation

Deep learning works extremely well, yet core questions remain open. This workshop brings together researchers to discuss theory that explains and guides practice.

Topics

  • Generalization and complexity
  • Implicit bias and optimization dynamics
  • Approximation theory and expressivity
  • Representation learning and invariances
  • Operator learning and scientific ML
  • Connections to kernel methods

Format

Invited talks + contributed posters/short talks.

Invited Speakers

More speakers will be announced soon.

TBA
To be announced
TBA
To be announced

Important Dates

Event Date
Workshop Paper Submission Deadline June 6, 2026
Notification of Acceptance July 10, 2026
Camera-Ready Submission July 18, 2026
Workshop Day September 14 - 17, 2026

Draft Program

Time Session Description
09:00–09:10 Opening Welcome and introduction
09:10–09:40 Invited Talk 1 Invited talk (25 mins Pre + 5 mins Q&A)
09:40–10:10 Invited Talk 2 Invited talk (25 mins Pre + 5 mins Q&A)
10:10–10:40 Regular Paper 2 regular papers (15 mins each)
10:40–11:00 Coffee Break poster presentations and informal discussion
11:00–11:30 Invited Talk 3 Invited talk (25 mins Pre + 5 mins Q&A)
11:30–12:00 Invited Talk 4 Invited talk (25 mins Pre + 5 mins Q&A)
12:00-12:30 Regular Paper 2 regular papers (15 mins each)
12:30-12:40 Closing Wrap-up
12:40-13:00 Free discussion poster presentations and informal discussion

Call for Participation / Papers

Submission Guidelines

Submissions should follow the ICANN 2026 formatting guidelines. For detailed instructions, please refer to the ICANN 2026 Submission Page .

  • Paper Format: Full papers may contain up to 12 pages (including references). Short extended abstracts (up to 2 pages, non-archival) are also welcome. Please follow the ICANN 2026 submission guidelines and templates available at ICANN Submission Page, under the “Instructions for Preparing Your Paper” section.
  • Submission System: Papers must be submitted via the CMT system under the “Workshops” track: CMT Submission Portal. Please select Theoretical Analysis of Deep Learning session for this workshop.
  • Review Process: All submissions will undergo peer review. Accepted papers will be included in the ICANN 2026 Workshop Proceedings.
  • Originality: Submissions must be original and not under review or published elsewhere.

Please note that each submission may include up to two supplementary files: one PDF and one ZIP file. These supplementary materials are not guaranteed to be considered during the review process and will not be published.

Anonymization Guidelines

The review process follows a double-blind policy. Authors must ensure that their submissions are properly anonymized.

  • Remove author information: Do not include author names or affiliations. Use “Anonymous submission”.
  • Avoid self-identification: Do not refer to your own work in the first person. Use third-person citations as for any other paper.
  • Keep references intact: Do not remove author names from citations. Do not write “reference removed for blind review”.
  • Acknowledgements: Omit acknowledgements (e.g., funding) in the submission version.

Submissions that violate anonymization requirements may be rejected without review.

Organizers (A-Z)

Jun Fan
Hong Kong Baptist University
Han Feng
City University of Hong Kong
Shuo Huang
Italian Institute of Technology
Wenyun Lei
The University of Hong Kong

Contact