Asynchronous Coagent Networks
ICML, pp. 5426-5435, 2020.
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Abstract:
Coagent policy gradient algorithms (CPGAs) are reinforcement learning algorithms for training a class of stochastic neural networks called coagent networks. In this work, we prove that CPGAs converge to locally optimal policies. Additionally, we extend prior theory to encompass asynchronous and recurrent coagent networks. These extensions...More
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Introduction
- Reinforcement learning (RL) policies are often represented by stochastic neural networks (SNNs).
- In this paper the authors study the problem of deriving learning rules for RL agents with SNN policies.
- Coagent networks are one formulation of SNN policies for RL agents (Thomas & Barto, 2011).
- At, and Rt are the state, action, and reward at time t, and are random variables that take values in S, A, and R, respectively.
- An episode is a sequence of states, actions, and rewards, starting from t=0 and continuing indefinitely.
- The authors assume that the discounted sum of rewards over an episode is finite
Highlights
- Reinforcement learning (RL) policies are often represented by stochastic neural networks (SNNs)
- Coagent networks are comprised of conjugate agents, or coagents; each coagent is an Reinforcement learning algorithm learning and acting cooperatively with the other coagents in its network
- We focus on the case where each coagent is a policy gradient Reinforcement learning algorithm, and call the resulting algorithms coagent policy gradient algorithms (CPGAs)
- Using the option-critic framework as an example, we have shown that the Asynchronous Coagent Policy Gradient Theorem is a useful tool for analyzing arbitrary stochastic networks
- We provide a formal and general proof of the coagent policy gradient theorem (CPGT) for stochastic policy networks, and extend it to the asynchronous and recurrent setting
- Future work will focus on the potential for massive parallelization of asynchronous coagent networks, and on the potential for many levels of implicit temporal abstraction through varying coagent execution rates
Conclusion
- The authors provide a formal and general proof of the coagent policy gradient theorem (CPGT) for stochastic policy networks, and extend it to the asynchronous and recurrent setting.
- The authors empirically support the CPGT, and use the option-critic framework as an example to show how the approach facilitates and simplifies gradient derivation for arbitrary stochastic networks.
- Future work will focus on the potential for massive parallelization of asynchronous coagent networks, and on the potential for many levels of implicit temporal abstraction through varying coagent execution rates
Summary
Introduction:
Reinforcement learning (RL) policies are often represented by stochastic neural networks (SNNs).- In this paper the authors study the problem of deriving learning rules for RL agents with SNN policies.
- Coagent networks are one formulation of SNN policies for RL agents (Thomas & Barto, 2011).
- At, and Rt are the state, action, and reward at time t, and are random variables that take values in S, A, and R, respectively.
- An episode is a sequence of states, actions, and rewards, starting from t=0 and continuing indefinitely.
- The authors assume that the discounted sum of rewards over an episode is finite
Conclusion:
The authors provide a formal and general proof of the coagent policy gradient theorem (CPGT) for stochastic policy networks, and extend it to the asynchronous and recurrent setting.- The authors empirically support the CPGT, and use the option-critic framework as an example to show how the approach facilitates and simplifies gradient derivation for arbitrary stochastic networks.
- Future work will focus on the potential for massive parallelization of asynchronous coagent networks, and on the potential for many levels of implicit temporal abstraction through varying coagent execution rates
Related work
- Klopf (1982) theorized that traditional models of classical and operant conditioning could be explained by modeling biological neurons as hedonistic, that is, seeking excitation and avoiding inhibition. The ideas motivating coagent networks bear a deep resemblance to Klopf’s proposal.
Stochastic neural networks have applications dating back at least to Marvin Minsky’s stochastic neural analog reinforcement calculator, built in 1951 (Russell & Norvig, 2016). Research of stochastic learning automata continued this work (Narendra & Thathachar, 1989); one notable example is the adaptive reward-penalty learning rule for training stochastic networks (Barto, 1985). Similarly, Williams (1992) proposed the well-known REINFORCE algorithm with the intent of training stochastic networks. Since then, REINFORCE has primarily been applied to deterministic networks. However, Thomas (2011) proposed CPGAs for RL, building on the original intent of Williams (1992).
Funding
- Research reported in this paper was sponsored in part by the CCDC Army Research Laboratory under Cooperative Agreement W911NF-17-2-0196 (ARL IoBT CRA)
Reference
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