The framework of robust Markov decision processes (RMDPs) allows the design of reinforcement learning agents that satisfy performance guarantees under worst-case transition dynamics. Traditional RMDPs consider discrete-time dynamics and recently, sample-efficient policy gradient algorithms have been considered in this context.
arXiv:2606. 04335v1 Announce Type: new Abstract: The framework of robust Markov decision processes (RMDPs) allows the design of reinforcement learning agents that satisfy performance guarantees under worst-case transition dynamics.
arXiv:2606. 16729v1 Announce Type: new Abstract: While there is an extensive body of work characterizing the sample complexity of discounted cumulative-reward MDPs, finite sample analyses for average-reward MDPs have been limited, and most existing works rely on restrictive assumptions such as ergodicity or access to a generative model.
arXiv:2606. 14095v1 Announce Type: new Abstract: We study the sample complexity of learning in average-reward weakly-coupled Markov decision processes (WCMDPs) and Restless Bandits (RBs) under a generative model.
arXiv:2607. 22982v1 Announce Type: new Abstract: Natural Policy Gradient (NPG) is a well-established Reinforcement Learning algorithm that underlies widely used methods such as Trust Region Policy Optimization and Proximal Policy Optimization, both of which have demonstrated strong empirical success.
Discounted exponential utility provides a principled criterion for risk-sensitive sequential decision-making, but its nonlinear structure complicates reinforcement learning. A recent work \citep{thoppe2026reinforcement} addressed this difficulty by introducing a Bellman-compatible surrogate and two model-free fixed-point algorithms for optimizing it over stationary policies.
arXiv:2607. 17201v1 Announce Type: cross Abstract: In this work we study the Best Policy Identification (BPI) problem in online, tabular Reinforcement Learning.
arXiv:2608. 01917v1 Announce Type: new Abstract: Discounted exponential utility provides a principled criterion for risk-sensitive sequential decision-making, but its nonlinear structure complicates reinforcement learning.
arXiv:2608. 06545v1 Announce Type: new Abstract: Distributionally robust Markov decision processes provide a principled framework for sequential decision making under model uncertainty.
arXiv:2603. 23461v2 Announce Type: replace Abstract: We study reinforcement learning (RL) with linear function approximation in Markov Decision Processes (MDPs) satisfying \emph{linear Bellman completeness} -- a fundamental setting where the Bellman backup of any linear value function remains linear.
arXiv:2512. 14617v2 Announce Type: replace-cross Abstract: Many practical decision-making problems involve tasks whose success depends on the entire system history, rather than on achieving a state with desired properties.
arXiv:2506. 07040v4 Announce Type: replace-cross Abstract: We study model-free methods for distributionally robust infinite-horizon average-reward Markov decision processes (MDPs).
arXiv:2409. 01447v3 Announce Type: replace Abstract: We present a finite-sample analysis of decentralized learning in two-player zero-sum matrix games and stochastic games, with a focus on best-response-based learning algorithms.