Models Are Data Too: Towards Expressive Querying of Machine-Learning Models

Machine learning generates large amounts of models that should be managed by sound data management practices. In particular, we should be able to query these models using expressive, declarative query languages. In this paper, which is based on a keynote we delivered at PODS 2026, we introduce this new kind of database querying, mainly by surveying existing ideas and pointing at research challenges. We also briefly foray into the querying of program code and query expressions.

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Publication Details

Journal
ACM SIGMOD Record
Published
2026-10-15
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1145/3858364.3858365
Primary Topic
Advanced Database Systems and Queries
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
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article

Models Are Data Too: Towards Expressive Querying of Machine-Learning Models

Jan Van den Bussche
ACM SIGMOD Record
Advanced Database Systems and Queries
article

Models Are Data Too: Towards Expressive Querying of Machine-Learning Models

Jan Van den Bussche
article en

Abstract

Machine learning generates large amounts of models that should be managed by sound data management practices. In particular, we should be able to query these models using expressive, declarative query languages. In this paper, which is based on a keynote we delivered at PODS 2026, we introduce this new kind of database querying, mainly by surveying existing ideas and pointing at research challenges. We also briefly foray into the querying of program code and query expressions.

ACM SIGMOD RecordVol. 55(3)
Hasselt University (BE)
Openalex Percentile: Top 12%
Advanced Database Systems and Queries
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