Surrogate Models: A Comprehensive Overview of Their Applications and Advantages

Sunday 23 March 2025


Surrogate models are becoming increasingly important in various fields, from engineering and physics to biology and medicine. These models aim to approximate complex systems or processes by using simpler algorithms, making them more efficient and cost-effective. A recent paper has made significant strides in developing surrogate models for a wide range of applications.


The authors of the paper have compiled an extensive list of 20 surrogate models that have been used in various fields. They categorize these models into different types, including those based on artificial neural networks, polynomial chaos expansions, and Gaussian processes. The models are applied to a diverse set of problems, such as predicting the behavior of complex systems, optimizing design parameters, and quantifying uncertainty.


One of the most impressive aspects of the paper is its comprehensiveness. The authors have managed to cover a wide range of surrogate models, from simple polynomial approximations to sophisticated neural networks. They provide detailed descriptions of each model, including their strengths and limitations, making it easy for readers to understand their applications.


The paper also highlights the importance of adaptive sampling in developing accurate surrogate models. By selecting the most informative samples from the training data, the authors demonstrate how adaptive sampling can improve the accuracy of the surrogate models. This approach is particularly useful when dealing with high-dimensional or noisy data, where traditional methods may struggle to provide accurate predictions.


The authors also discuss the challenges associated with developing surrogate models. They highlight the need for careful model selection, as well as the importance of validating the surrogate models against the original complex systems. The paper also touches on the issue of uncertainty quantification, which is critical in many applications where precise predictions are necessary.


In terms of applications, the paper covers a wide range of fields, including engineering, physics, biology, and medicine. The authors demonstrate how surrogate models can be used to predict the behavior of complex systems, optimize design parameters, and quantify uncertainty. They also provide examples of how these models have been used in practice, such as in predicting the behavior of rock and soil mechanics.


Overall, this paper provides a comprehensive overview of surrogate models and their applications. The authors’ approach is clear and concise, making it easy for readers to understand the different types of models and their strengths and limitations. The paper also highlights the importance of adaptive sampling and uncertainty quantification in developing accurate surrogate models. As such, it is an excellent resource for anyone looking to learn more about this important field.


Cite this article: “Surrogate Models: A Comprehensive Overview of Their Applications and Advantages”, The Science Archive, 2025.


Surrogate Modeling, Artificial Neural Networks, Polynomial Chaos Expansions, Gaussian Processes, Adaptive Sampling, Uncertainty Quantification, Complex Systems, Optimization, Design Parameters, Machine Learning.


Reference: Elizaveta Semenova, “Case for a unified surrogate modelling framework in the age of AI” (2025).


Leave a Reply