Mathematics for AI and Machine Learning

Foundations for modern AI and machine learning

Energy-Based Model

Chapter 17 Dynamics & diffusion

Chapter 17: Score Function and Energy-Based Models — Energy-Based Models

Animated preview (GIF)
Energy-Based Model — animated GIF preview
High-resolution PNG
Energy-Based Model — high-resolution mind-map icon

From the book

Chapter 17: Score Function and Energy-Based Models. In the chapter mind map this icon labels Energy-Based Models. The discussion below is excerpted and lightly edited from § Energy-Based Models in Mathematics for AI and Machine Learning.

For an EBM specifically, where $f(\mathbf{x}) = \exp(-E_\theta(\mathbf{x}))$, this simplification becomes:

This confirms that the score function of an EBM equals the negative gradient of its energy function, completely eliminating the intractable partition function $Z_\theta$ from the computation. This remarkable property allows us to learn the score function without ever evaluating the normalization constant, even for high-dimensional distributions where integration is infeasible.

What this drawing shows

What you see. Energy landscape $E(x)$ fixed; Boltzmann density $e^{-E}$ grows from flat, showing $p(x) \propto \exp(-E(x))$.

In the mind map. Chapter 17 — Energy-Based Models. See From the book above for definitions, figures, and worked examples.

Where to read next

Open Chapter 17 companion →

Read the full definitions, figures, and worked examples in Chapter 17: Score Function and Energy-Based Models — see the mind-map node Energy-Based Models.