Exploring Multiple Instance Learning (MIL): A brief survey

Multiple Instance Learning (MIL) is a learning paradigm, where training instances are arranged in sets, called bags, and only bag-level labels are available during training. This learning paradigm has been successfully applied in various real-world scenarios, including medical image analysis, object detection, image classification, drug activity prediction, and many others. This survey paper presents a comprehensive analysis of MIL, highlighting its significance, recent advancements, methodologies, applications, and evolving trends across diverse domains. The survey begins by explaining the core principles that form the basis of MIL and how it differs from traditional learning approaches. This sets the foundation for comprehending the distinct challenges and techniques of solving MIL problems. Next, we discuss how supervised learning algorithms are tailored to support MIL and combine this discussion with a review of seminal MIL algorithms as well as the latest innovations that incorporate neural networks, deep learning architectures, and attention techniques. This comprehensive analysis helps to understand the strengths, limitations, and adaptability of these methods across diverse data modalities, complexities, and applications. In summary, this survey paper provides an essential resource for researchers, practitioners, and enthusiasts seeking a comprehensive understanding of Multiple Instance Learning. It covers foundational concepts, traditional methods, recent advancements, and future directions. By providing a holistic view of MIL’s dynamic landscape, this paper aims to inspire further innovation and exploration in this ever-evolving field.