Data Augmentation is Still Data Curation

Data augmentation is a key technique in enhancing model performance by enlarging and diversifying training datasets, especially in fields like computer vision, where it helps mitigate overfitting and class imbalance. However, improper application can degrade model performance and lead to misinterpretations, as seen in examples involving wildlife conservation and medical imaging. The text emphasizes the importance of testing and understanding transformations before incorporating them into training pipelines, advocating for tools like FiftyOne and Albumentations to visualize and control augmentations. The article warns against treating data augmentation as a black-box process and highlights the significance of carefully curating transformations to maintain data quality and avoid undesired outcomes.