Related papers: Swarm-based gradient descent meets simulated annea…
We introduce a new Swarm-Based Gradient Descent (SBGD) method for non-convex optimization. The swarm consists of agents, each is identified with a position, ${\mathbf x}$, and mass, $m$. The key to their dynamics is communication: masses…
We extend our study of the swarm-based gradient descent method for non-convex optimization, [Lu, Tadmor & Zenginoglu, arXiv:2211.17157], to allow random descent directions. We recall that the swarm-based approach consists of a swarm of…
The field of optimization has the goal to find an optimal solution to a target function, i.e. to minimize (or maximize) the target function. When trying to find such a global minimum, one often encounters local minima due to unfavorable…
Gradient descent algorithm is the most utilized method when optimizing machine learning issues. However, there exists many local minimums and saddle points in the loss function, especially for high dimensional non-convex optimization…
We propose a new metaheuristic training scheme that combines Stochastic Gradient Descent (SGD) and Discrete Optimization in an unconventional way. Our idea is to define a discrete neighborhood of the current SGD point containing a number of…
We introduce a new class of swarm-based inertial methods (SBIMs) for global minimization, formulated as coupled dissipative inertial dynamical systems derived from the generalized Onsager principle. The proposed framework identifies the…
We study distributed stochastic nonconvex optimization in multi-agent networks. We introduce a novel algorithmic framework for the distributed minimization of the sum of the expected value of a smooth (possibly nonconvex) function (the…
Task learning in neural networks typically requires finding a globally optimal minimizer to a loss function objective. Conventional designs of swarm based optimization methods apply a fixed update rule, with possibly an adaptive step-size…
Global optimization, particularly for non-convex functions with multiple local minima, poses significant challenges for traditional gradient-based methods. While metaheuristic approaches offer empirical effectiveness, they often lack…
Simulated annealing (SA) is a stochastic global optimisation technique applicable to a wide range of discrete and continuous variable problems. Despite its simplicity, the development of an effective SA optimiser for a given problem hinges…
We propose and study a version of simulated annealing (SA) on continuous state spaces based on $(t,s)_R$-sequences. The parameter $R\in\bar{\mathbb{N}}$ regulates the degree of randomness of the input sequence, with the case $R=0$…
Using jointly geometric and stochastic reformulations of nonconvex problems and exploiting a Monge-Kantorovich gradient system formulation with vanishing forces, we formally extend the simulated annealing method to a wide class of global…
Stochastic approximation (SA) is a key method used in statistical learning. Recently, its non-asymptotic convergence analysis has been considered in many papers. However, most of the prior analyses are made under restrictive assumptions…
This paper studies distributed nonconvex optimization problems with stochastic gradients for a multi-agent system, in which each agent aims to minimize the sum of all agents' cost functions by using local compressed information exchange. We…
Sampling-based optimization (SBO), like cross-entropy method and evolutionary algorithms, has achieved many successes in solving non-convex problems without gradients, yet its convergence is poorly understood. In this paper, we establish a…
The paper proves convergence to global optima for a class of distributed algorithms for nonconvex optimization in network-based multi-agent settings. Agents are permitted to communicate over a time-varying undirected graph. Each agent is…
We formulate the swarming optimization problem as a weakly coupled, dissipative dynamical system governed by a controlled energy dissipation rate and initial velocities that adhere to the nonequilibrium Onsager principle. In this framework,…
We propose a novel stochastic smoothing accelerated gradient (SSAG) method for general constrained nonsmooth convex composite optimization, and analyze the convergence rates. The SSAG method allows various smoothing techniques, and can deal…
We propose in this paper a new minimization algorithm based on a slightly modified version of the scalar auxiliary variable (SAV) approach coupled with a relaxation step and an adaptive strategy. It enjoys several distinct advantages over…
We propose a new gradient descent algorithm with added stochastic terms for finding the global optimizers of nonconvex optimization problems. A key component in the algorithm is the adaptive tuning of the randomness based on the value of…