A simple and general debiased machine learning theorem with finite-sample guarantees

Abstract

Summary Debiased machine learning is a meta-algorithm based on bias correction and sample splitting to calculate confidence intervals for functionals, i.e., scalar summaries, of machine learning algorithms. For example, an analyst may seek the confidence interval for a treatment effect estimated with a neural network. We present a non-asymptotic debiased machine learning theorem that encompasses any global or local functional of any machine learning algorithm that satisfies a few simple, interpretable conditions. Formally, we prove consistency, Gaussian approximation and semiparametric efficiency by finite-sample arguments. The rate of convergence is $n^{-1/2}$ for global functionals, and it degrades gracefully for local functionals. Our results culminate in a simple set of conditions that an analyst can use to translate modern learning theory rates into traditional statistical inference. The conditions reveal a general double robustness property for ill-posed inverse problems.