A systems implements a gradient descent calculation, regression calculation, or other machine learning calculation on a dataset (e.g., a global dataset) using a coordination node including coordination circuitry that coordinates multiple worker nodes to create a distributed calculation architecture. In some cases, the worker nodes each hold a portion of the dataset and operate on their respective portion. In some cases, the gradient descent calculation, regression calculation, or other machine learning calculation is used to implement a targeted maximum likelihood scheme for causal inference estimation. The targeted maximum likelihood scheme may be used to conduct causal analysis of the observational data.