---
title: "What is active learning?"
description: "Active learning chooses which unlabeled examples a person should label next, so the model improves faster than if you labeled at random."
url: "https://pixeltable.com/learn/what-is-active-learning"
updated: "2026-09-29"
vertical: "Evaluation"
doc: "https://docs.pixeltable.com/overview/quick-start"
---

# What is active learning?

Active learning chooses which unlabeled examples a person should label next, so the model improves faster than if you labeled at random.

Updated: 2026-09-29


## On this page

- [How it works](https://pixeltable.com/learn/what-is-active-learning#how-it-works)
- [What it is not](https://pixeltable.com/learn/what-is-active-learning#what-it-is-not)
- [Comparison](https://pixeltable.com/learn/what-is-active-learning#comparison)
- [Where Pixeltable fits](https://pixeltable.com/learn/what-is-active-learning#where-pixeltable-fits)
- [Questions](https://pixeltable.com/learn/what-is-active-learning#questions)

## How it works {#how-it-works}


- Score unlabeled rows by uncertainty or disagreement.
- Send the top of that list to a person.
- Write the new labels back onto the rows and repeat.

## What it is not {#what-it-is-not}

It is not labeling every row, and it is not a random sample.

## active learning: this, and the thing it is confused with {#comparison}

|  | This | Not this |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Selects | Informative rows | All rows, or a random draw |
| Labels go | Back on the row | Into a file nobody joins |
| Loop | Model, rank, label | A single export |

## Where Pixeltable fits {#where-pixeltable-fits}

Pixeltable can rank rows with a computed score and store the human label on the same row, which is the loop.

## Questions {#questions}

### How does active learning work? {#faq-1}

Score unlabeled rows by uncertainty or disagreement. Send the top of that list to a person. Write the new labels back onto the rows and repeat.

### What is active learning often confused with? {#faq-2}

It is not labeling every row, and it is not a random sample.

## In the blog

- [Closing the Loop: Automating Active Learning Pipelines from Production to Training](https://pixeltable.com/blog/closing-the-loop-active-learning)

## Related

- [Documentation](https://docs.pixeltable.com/overview/quick-start)
- [Closing the Loop: Automating Active Learning Pipelines from Production to Training](https://pixeltable.com/blog/closing-the-loop-active-learning)
- [Pixeltable vs Label Studio](https://pixeltable.com/compare/pixeltable-vs-labelstudio)