arXiv AI

Certifying Almost-Sure Reachability in Unknown MDPs

arXiv Machine Learning
Sep 4

Robust PAC Learning of Concurrent Stochastic Games

The paper presents the first PAC learning framework for general-sum concurrent stochastic games with uncertain transitions, addressing the challenge of Nash equilibrium existence. It introduces data‑driven L¹ confidence sets over transition kernels and a robust CSG solver that computes a social‑welfare optimal ε‑NE, or provides a certificate that no exact NE exists. The algorithm achieves polynomial sample complexity under a minimum reachability condition and is validated on benchmark CSGs with near‑optimal performance.

By Angel Y. He, David Parker
Hugging Face Trending Papers
Sep 3

Robust PAC Learning of Concurrent Stochastic Games

We introduce the first Probably Approximately Correct (PAC) learning framework for general-sum concurrent stochastic games (CSGs) with transition uncertainty, while addressing the challenge of Nash equilibrium (NE) existence. Our algorithm maintains data-driven $L^1$ confidence sets over transition kernels and solves a robust CSG to compute a social-welfare optimal $\varepsilon$-NE, using a robust MDP-based exploration mechanism to drive joint state-action coverage.

arXiv AI
Oct 2

Q-Learning for Reachability in MEC-Free MDPs

The paper introduces Quasar, a model‑free Q‑learning algorithm that guarantees asymptotic convergence for reachability objectives in Markov Decision Processes that are free of non‑terminal maximal end components (MECs). Unlike prior model‑based methods, Quasar does not estimate transition probabilities, reducing memory usage from O(|S|²|A|) to O(|S||A|). Experiments on the Quantitative Verification Benchmark Set show that Quasar converges to optimal policies with far fewer samples than existing state‑of‑the‑art model‑based approaches.

By Lu-Chin Chang, Suguman Bansal
arXiv Machine Learning
Sep 29

Learning Chance-Constrained MDPs with Bellman Distributional Certificates

The paper introduces a new approach to learning chance-constrained Markov decision processes (CCMDPs) using a Bellman distributional certificate. It provides both model-based and model-free algorithms with theoretical guarantees, including matching upper and lower bounds for tabular discounted CCMDPs with bounded successor support. Numerical experiments on synthetic CCMDPs and an IEEE 14-bus energy storage benchmark demonstrate the safety and effectiveness of the proposed methods.

By Chenbei Lu, Hongyu Yi
arXiv Machine Learning
Aug 11

Finite Constant Frontiers and Auditable Regret Certificates for Average-Reward Reinforcement Learning

arXiv:2608. 07725v1 Announce Type: new Abstract: Average-reward reinforcement-learning regret is known up to logarithmic factors, but the numerical content of published guarantees is difficult to compare because probability mode, structural parameter, logarithmic normalization, prior information, and planning assumptions differ.

By Ibne Farabi Shihab, Abu Sa-Adat Mohamed Moon-Im Al Ahsan, Md Najmus Swaqeeb
arXiv Machine Learning
Sep 21

Provably Optimal Reinforcement Learning under Safety Filtering

The paper proves that using a permissive safety filter in reinforcement learning does not compromise asymptotic performance. By formalizing safety through a safety‑critical Markov decision process and a filtered MDP, the authors show that optimal policies in the filtered MDP achieve the same return as the best safe policy in the original setting. Experiments on Safety Gymnasium confirm zero violations during training and performance that matches or exceeds unfiltered baselines.

By Donggeon David Oh, Duy P. Nguyen, Haimin Hu, Jaime Fern\'andez Fisac