  Multiple Kernel Learning is a conventional way to learn the kernel function
in kernel-based methods. MKL algorithms enhance the performance of kernel
methods. However, these methods have a lower complexity compared to deep
learning models and are inferior to these models in terms of recognition
accuracy. Deep learning models can learn complex functions by applying
nonlinear transformations to data through several layers. In this paper, we
show that a typical MKL algorithm can be interpreted as a one-layer neural
network with linear activation functions. By this interpretation, we propose a
Neural Generalization of Multiple Kernel Learning (NGMKL), which extends the
conventional multiple kernel learning framework to a multi-layer neural network
with nonlinear activation functions. Our experiments on several benchmarks show
that the proposed method improves the complexity of MKL algorithms and leads to
higher recognition accuracy.
