arXiv Machine Learning

All Models are Wrong, Knowing Where is Useful: On Model Uncertainty in Reinforcement Learning

arXiv:2606. 01363v1 Announce Type: new Abstract: Model-based reinforcement learning (MBRL) infers information about the environment from a learned dynamics model and bears the potential to address open problems such as data efficient and safe learning in robotics.

arXiv Machine Learning
Aug 11

Uncertainty-Aware Predictive Safety Filters for Probabilistic Neural Network Dynamics

arXiv:2604. 26836v3 Announce Type: replace Abstract: Predictive safety filters (PSFs) leverage model predictive control to enforce constraint satisfaction during deep reinforcement learning (RL) exploration, yet their reliance on first-principles models or Gaussian processes limits scalability and broader applicability.

By Bernd Frauenknecht, Lukas Kesper, Daniel Mayfrank, Henrik Hose, Sebastian Trimpe
arXiv AI
Jun 8

Exploring Agentic Tool-Calling Decisions via Uncertainty-Aligned Reinforcement Learning

arXiv:2606. 06976v1 Announce Type: new Abstract: Large language model (LLM)-based agents often make suboptimal tool-use decisions, including unsupported tool invocation and hallucinated direct responses, which may accumulate errors throughout multi-step interactions.

By Yijin Zhou, Linqian Zeng, Xiaoya Lu, Wenyuan Xie, Dongrui Liu, Junchi Yan, Jing Shao
arXiv AI
Aug 21

Adaptive Probabilistic Shielding by Learning MDPs for Safe Reinforcement Learning

arXiv:2608. 19836v1 Announce Type: cross Abstract: Probabilistic shielding is a technique for safe reinforcement learning (RL).

By Astrid Horn Brorholt (Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark), Maris F. L. Galesloot (Radboud University, Nijmegen, Netherlands), Nils Jansen (Radboud University, Nijmegen, Netherlands), Kim Guldstrand Larsen (Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark), Christian Schilling (Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark)
arXiv AI
Sep 1

Learning Action Models with Conditional and Quantified Effects via Uncertainty-Guided Exploration

The paper introduces OHCAM, an online method for learning action models that include conditional and quantified effects from limited interactions. It maintains a belief over possible models and actively chooses actions that maximize disagreement among hypotheses to reduce uncertainty, while handling noisy observations. Starting with simple hypotheses, OHCAM expands complexity only when necessary, achieving sample‑efficient learning that outperforms baselines on benchmark domains and is validated on a Kinova Gen3 robot.

By Jeffrey Jewett, William Solow, Sandhya Saisubramanian
arXiv Machine Learning
Sep 1

Uncertainty-Driven Replay Memory for Reinforcement Learning

The paper introduces Uncertainty-Driven Replay Memory (UDRM), a new experience replay buffer for reinforcement learning that prioritizes storing transitions with high uncertainty estimates. Unlike traditional buffers that rely on temporal difference error or transition distributions, UDRM updates its contents based on uncertainty derived from the RL model during training. Experiments show that this uncertainty-aware buffer leads to higher rewards during training compared to other uncertainty-aware RL frameworks.

By Sheeraja Rajakrishnan, Alexander G. Ororbia, Travis Desell, Daniel E. Krutz
arXiv Machine Learning
Aug 24

Smart Exploration in Reinforcement Learning using Bounded Uncertainty Models

The paper introduces BUMEX, a reinforcement learning exploration strategy that leverages a set of prior models containing the true transition kernel and reward function. By optimizing over this model set, the method derives upper and lower bounds on the Q‑function to guide exploration, providing theoretical guarantees of convergence to the optimal policy. When the model set follows a bounded‑parameter MDP structure, the optimization becomes convex, enabling finite‑time convergence under mild assumptions and demonstrating accelerated learning in simulations.

By J. S. van Hulst, W. P. M. H. Heemels, D. J. Antunes