Guided Policy Exploration for Markov Decision Processes Using an Uncertainty-Based Value-of-Information Criterion

IEEE Transactions on Neural Networks and Learning Systems
Isaac J SledgeJose C Principe

Abstract

Reinforcement learning in environments with many action-state pairs is challenging. The issue is the number of episodes needed to thoroughly search the policy space. Most conventional heuristics address this search problem in a stochastic manner. This can leave large portions of the policy space unvisited during the early training stages. In this paper, we propose an uncertainty-based, information-theoretic approach for performing guided stochastic searches that more effectively cover the policy space. Our approach is based on the value of information, a criterion that provides the optimal tradeoff between expected costs and the granularity of the search process. The value of information yields a stochastic routine for choosing actions during learning that can explore the policy space in a coarse to fine manner. We augment this criterion with a state-transition uncertainty factor, which guides the search process into previously unexplored regions of the policy space. We evaluate the uncertainty-based value-of-information policies on the games Centipede and Crossy Road. Our results indicate that our approach yields better performing policies in fewer episodes than stochastic-based exploration strategies. We show that the trainin...Continue Reading

References

Jun 2, 2016·IEEE Transactions on Neural Networks and Learning Systems·Yuanheng ZhuXiangjun Li
Jul 15, 2016·IEEE Transactions on Neural Networks and Learning Systems·Biao LuoDing Wang
Apr 1, 2017·IEEE Transactions on Neural Networks and Learning Systems·Lei LiuHuaguang Zhang
Apr 25, 2017·IEEE Transactions on Neural Networks and Learning Systems·Jinna LiLihua Xie

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Mar 30, 2019·Entropy·Isaac J Sledge, José C Príncipe

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.

Related Papers

Journal of Continuing Education in Nursing
N Kramer
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
L S Shapley
Theory in Biosciences = Theorie in Den Biowissenschaften
Susanne Still, Doina Precup
Advances in Neural Information Processing Systems
Mahdi Milani Fard, Joelle Pineau
© 2022 Meta ULC. All rights reserved