arXiv Machine Learning

Convergence Analysis of STORM Under Different Geometries

arXiv:2610. 01599v1 Announce Type: cross Abstract: Stochastic recursive momentum (STORM) achieves fast convergence for nonconvex optimization via the variance reduction effect, but existing analyses rely on the strong average smoothness assumption.

arXiv Machine Learning
Oct 21

Variance Reduction with Delayed Feedback for Non-Convex Optimization

The paper investigates variance reduction techniques for non‑convex optimization when gradient evaluations are delayed. It introduces an ordered recursive momentum estimator whose oracle complexity depends on smoothness, variance, and delay, and provides bounds for both stochastic and finite‑sum settings. An asynchronous snapshot variant is also proposed, allowing updates during full‑gradient computations under a completion‑time bound.

By Wei Jiang, Dingzhi Yu, Zechao Li
arXiv Machine Learning
Oct 12

RanSOM: Second-Order Momentum with Randomized Scaling for Constrained and Unconstrained Optimization

The paper introduces RanSOM, a second‑order momentum algorithm that eliminates the need for a Lipschitz Hessian or auxiliary forward/backward passes by randomizing the step length. By sampling the step from an exponential distribution and using a Stein‑type identity, the method obtains an unbiased estimate of the gradient change with a single Hessian‑vector product that also serves the next gradient computation. RanSOM-E achieves optimal oracle‑complexity exponents for heavy‑tailed noise without clipping, while RanSOM-B preserves feasibility for Frank‑Wolfe iterates, and experiments on CIFAR‑10 show comparable accuracy to existing methods with lower update time.

By El Mahdi Chayti, Mohamad Fakhouri
arXiv Machine Learning
Jul 2

Towards Weaker Variance Assumptions for Stochastic Optimization

arXiv:2504. 09951v2 Announce Type: replace-cross Abstract: We revisit a classical assumption for analyzing stochastic gradient algorithms where the squared norm of the stochastic subgradient (or the variance for smooth problems) is allowed to grow as fast as the squared norm of the optimization variable.

By Ahmet Alacaoglu, Yura Malitsky, Stephen J. Wright
arXiv Machine Learning
Oct 16

On the Last-Iterate Convergence of Clipped Gradient Methods

The paper establishes the first optimal last‑iterate convergence rates, in high probability, for Clipped‑SGD when the gradient noise is heavy‑tailed. It addresses the gap left by earlier results that required strong noise assumptions, such as exponentially decaying tails. By proving these rates, the authors provide theoretical support for the practical effectiveness of gradient clipping in stochastic convex optimization.

By Zijian Liu