surrogate model

Definition of surrogate model

1. : a model used as a computationally cheaper approximation of another model, simulation, or process; in AI-based scientific and engineering workflows, it is often trained on examples to predict results that would otherwise require expensive calculations or experiments

   • The engineers used a surrogate model to screen wing designs before checking the strongest candidates with a full fluid simulation.
   • The surrogate model was fast within the training range but became unreliable for unfamiliar materials and operating conditions.