International Machine Learning Society

The International Machine Learning Society (IMLS) is a nonprofit organisation focused on advancing research and education in machine learning. Established to address the need for a formal body to manage the International Conference on Machine Learning (ICML), IMLS provides a stable, legal framework for handling the funds and logistics of the conference, which were previously managed informally by host academic institutions. The society was formed to ensure smoother operations and transparency, similar to other AI-related conferences such as NeurIPS, COLT, and UAI.

IMLS also works to democratise the process of organising ICML, which was previously overseen by the editorial board of the Machine Learning Journal (MLJ). With the creation of the society, more researchers and professionals from the field can participate in the governance and decision-making processes. A mailing list of attendees from past ICML and ECML conferences was used to create a voting body to elect a governing board, and since then, the society has managed the event.

In addition to ICML, IMLS is responsible for publishing the Journal of Machine Learning Research (JMLR), which covers various machine learning topics such as deep learning, reinforcement learning, and probabilistic modelling. The society also provides resources for researchers, practitioners, and educators, offering grants, awards, and educational programmes.

The annual ICML conference is one of the most prestigious events in the field, attracting global participation from researchers, industry professionals, and academics. The conference has been hosted in various international locations since its inception in 1980. IMLS continues to play a key role in the development of machine learning as an important area of artificial intelligence research.

The International Machine Learning Society (IMLS) was established to address the growing need for a formal, non-profit organisation to manage the logistics and finances of the International Conference on Machine Learning (ICML). Before its creation, funds for the annual conference were managed informally by the host academic institutions of the conference chairs, leading to various logistical challenges. Recognising the need for a structured approach, the Machine Learning community saw the formation of IMLS as a way to streamline operations, provide legal stability, and improve the overall management of the conference.

The push for the creation of IMLS began in the late 1990s and early 2000s, during the editorial board meetings of the Machine Learning Journal (MLJ) and the open conference business meetings held at the end of every ICML. A key issue raised was the need for a democratic and transparent process for selecting conference chairs and managing the conference itself. Traditionally, the MLJ editorial board handled these responsibilities, which some members of the research community felt lacked wider representation.

In 2001, at the ICML business meeting in Williamstown, Massachusetts, the decision was made to formally establish IMLS. A democratic process was put in place to elect an initial governing board. The governing board was to consist of ten established researchers in machine learning, selected by the attendees of past ICML and ECML conferences through a voting process. Nominations were collected, and voting took place from October to November 2001. The ten individuals receiving the most votes formed the first governing board, which then worked to establish the society and elect a set of officers, including positions such as president, secretary, and treasurer.

The IMLS quickly became responsible for organising ICML, one of the premier conferences in the field of machine learning. Since its inception, ICML has been held in numerous international locations, starting in Pittsburgh in 1980. The conference continued to grow in size and prestige, attracting researchers and professionals from around the world. By the 2000s, ICML had solidified its position as one of the top three machine learning conferences globally, alongside NeurIPS and ICLR.

In addition to managing ICML, IMLS also became responsible for the publication of the Journal of Machine Learning Research (JMLR), which began as an alternative to the MLJ. The journal publishes research on a wide range of topics within machine learning, including deep learning, reinforcement learning, and probabilistic modelling. JMLR has become a respected resource for both academic and industry researchers.

IMLS continued to expand its activities by offering a variety of resources for the machine learning community. These include grants, awards, and educational programmes designed to support researchers and practitioners in advancing the field. IMLS also engages in raising funds from companies and government agencies to support the conference and student travel.

The annual ICML conference is now recognised as one of the most important events in the machine learning calendar, attracting thousands of participants each year. The conference features cutting-edge research and fosters collaboration between academic researchers, industry professionals, and students. Over the years, the conference has been hosted in cities across the globe, including New York City, Los Angeles, Vienna, Beijing, and Vancouver. The next ICML is scheduled to be held in Seoul, South Korea in 2026

As of 2024, IMLS continues to play a pivotal role in promoting machine learning research and education. The society remains dedicated to managing ICML and supporting the broader machine-learning community through its resources, publications, and initiatives. The organisation has grown significantly since its inception, with over 4,000 members from around the world and a strong presence in both academic and industrial sectors.

The International Machine Learning Society (IMLS) was established to address several key needs in the field of machine learning. Its primary purpose is to manage the International Conference on Machine Learning (ICML) in a more structured and formal way, ensuring smoother operations and financial management. Before IMLS was formed, the funds for organising ICML were handled informally by host academic institutions, which led to logistical challenges. IMLS provides a legal and stable framework to manage these funds efficiently.

One of the main goals of IMLS is to democratise the way the ICML conference is organised. Before IMLS, the editorial board of the Machine Learning Journal (MLJ) was responsible for selecting the conference chairs and venues. However, this process was seen as lacking representation from the broader machine-learning research community. IMLS aims to make this process more open and democratic by allowing machine learning researchers and professionals to participate in the decision-making process.

Another important goal of IMLS is to support and promote machine learning research and education. The society organises the annual ICML conference, which is one of the leading conferences in the field. It also publishes the Journal of Machine Learning Research (JMLR), which covers important topics such as deep learning, reinforcement learning, and probabilistic modelling. Through these efforts, IMLS provides a platform for researchers to share their work and contribute to advancements in machine learning.

IMLS also aims to provide resources such as grants, awards, and educational programmes to support researchers, educators, and students in the field. These initiatives are designed to encourage participation and innovation in machine learning research and education, helping to grow the community and advance the field.

The International Machine Learning Society (IMLS) has made a significant impact on the field of machine learning since its establishment. By providing a formal structure to manage the International Conference on Machine Learning (ICML), IMLS has ensured the smooth organisation of one of the world’s leading conferences in the field. ICML has grown into a major platform for presenting cutting-edge research, attracting thousands of participants from around the globe, including researchers, industry professionals, and academics.

IMLS has also played a crucial role in democratising the organisation of ICML, allowing greater involvement from the machine learning community in selecting conference chairs and venues. This has made the conference more inclusive and representative of the diverse voices in the field.

The society’s management of the Journal of Machine Learning Research (JMLR) has further strengthened its impact, providing a respected platform for publishing high-quality research on topics such as deep learning and reinforcement learning. Through grants, awards, and educational programmes, IMLS supports researchers, students, and educators, fostering innovation and growth in machine learning.