Kernel methods are among the most popular techniques in machine learning. From a regularization theory perspective, they provide a natural choice for the hypotheses space and the regularization functional through the notion of reproducing kernel Hilbert spaces. From a probabilistic theory perspective, they are the key in the context of Gaussian processes, where the kernel function is known as the covariance function. The theory of kernel methods for single-valued functions is well established by now, and indeed there has been a considerable amount of work devoted to designing and learning kernels. More recently there has been an increasing interest in methods that deal with multiple outputs, motivated partly by frameworks like multitask learning. Applications of kernels for vector-valued functions include sensor networks, geostatistics, computer graphics and several more.

Kernels for Vector-Valued Functions looks at different methods to design or learn valid kernel functions for multiple outputs, paying particular attention to the connection between probabilistic and regularization methods. It is aimed at researchers with an interest in the theory and application of kernels for vector-valued functions in areas such as statistics, computer science and engineering. One of its goals is to provide a unified framework and a common terminology for researchers working in machine learning and statistics.