Abstract: A computer-implemented method optimizing genetic algorithms for finding solutions to a provided problem is described. The method implements a multi-arm bandit algorithm to determine performance scores for candidate individuals from a candidate pool in dependence on successes and failures of the one or more candidates. The method evolves the candidate individuals in the candidate pool by performing evolution steps including: determining a fitness score for each of the candidate individuals in the candidate pool in dependence on the performance scores for the candidate individuals, discarding candidate individuals from the candidate pool in dependence upon their assigned performance measure, and adding, to the candidate pool, a new candidate individual procreated from candidate individuals remaining in the candidate pool after the discarding of the candidate individuals.

Abstract: A multi-task (MTL) process is adapted to the single-task learning (STL) case, i.e., when only a single task is available for training. The process is formalized as pseudo-task augmentation (PTA), in which a single task has multiple distinct decoders projecting the output of the shared structure to task predictions. By training the shared structure to solve the same problem in multiple ways, PTA simulates the effect of training towards distinct but closely-related tasks drawn from the same universe. Training dynamics with multiple pseudo-tasks strictly subsumes training with just one, and a class of algorithms is introduced for controlling pseudo-tasks in practice.

Abstract: Roughly described, a computer-implemented evolutionary data mining system includes a memory storing a candidate gene database in which each candidate individual has a respective fitness estimate; a gene pool processor which tests individuals from the candidate gene pool on training data and updates the fitness estimate associated with the individuals in dependence upon the tests; and a gene harvesting module for deploying selected individuals from the gene pool, wherein the gene pool processor includes a competition module which selects individuals for discarding in dependence upon their updated fitness estimate. The system maintains the ancestry count for each of the candidate individuals, and may use this information to adjust the competition among the individuals, to adjust the selection of individuals for further procreation, and/or for other purposes.

Abstract: Evolution and coevolution of neural networks via multitask learning is described. The foundation is (1) the original soft ordering, which uses a fixed architecture for the modules and a fixed routing (i.e. network topology) that is shared among all tasks. This architecture is then extended in two ways with CoDeepNEAT: (2) by coevolving the module architectures (CM), and (3) by coevolving both the module architectures and a single shared routing for all tasks using (CMSR). An alternative evolutionary process (4) keeps the module architecture fixed, but evolves a separate routing for each task during training (CTR). Finally, approaches (2) and (4) are combined into (5), where both modules and task routing are coevolved (CMTR).

Abstract: Roughly described, a computer-implemented evolutionary data mining system includes a memory storing a candidate gene database in which each candidate individual has a respective fitness estimate; a gene pool processor which tests individuals from the candidate gene pool on training data and updates the fitness estimate associated with the individuals in dependence upon the tests; and a gene harvesting module for deploying selected individuals from the gene pool, wherein the gene pool processor includes a competition module which selects individuals for discarding in dependence upon their updated fitness estimate. The system maintains the ancestry count for each of the candidate individuals, and may use this information to adjust the competition among the individuals, to adjust the selection of individuals for further procreation, and/or for other purposes.