New model tackles causal bandits with dependent variables.
problem Understanding reward-maximizing interventions in causal networks with dependent variables.
method Introduces hierarchical causal bandit model with a contextual variable capturing interactions among variables.
result Derives nearly matching regret bounds for binary context in causal bandits with dependent arms.
A new framework for structured bandits using influence diagrams and variational Thompson sampling.
problem Complex statistical dependencies in structured bandit problems.
method Influence diagram framework, variational Thompson sampling, tracking structured posterior distribution.
result Empirically evaluated algorithms perform as well as or better than existing baselines.
New dynamic allocation methods for multi-armed bandit models.
problem Dynamic allocation problems in multi-armed bandit models.
method New types of dynamic allocation problems and proofs for Gittins index decomposition.
result New proofs for Gittins index decomposition and related results.
The study explores whether model selection guarantees apply to contextual bandits.
problem Applying model selection guarantees to contextual bandits.
method Investigates whether similar guarantees for model selection in statistical learning can be extended to contextual bandit learning.
result Initial findings suggest that model selection guarantees may not directly apply to contextual bandits.
Graph-Triggered Bandits unify rested and restless bandits with graph-defined arm interactions.
problem Modeling sequential decision-making problems with evolving arm rewards.
method Graph-Triggered Bandits (GTBs) framework that generalizes rested and restless bandits using a graph.
result Rested and restless bandits are special cases of GTBs for suitable graphs.
Efficiently handles contextual bandits with diffusion models.
problem Challenges in online decision-making with contextual bandits.
method Leverage pre-trained diffusion models as priors to capture action dependencies.
result Developed an algorithm for efficient posterior approximation.
The paper connects discrete choice models to multi-armed bandit algorithms with sublinear regret bounds.
problem Optimizing user choices in a multi-armed bandit setting.
method Establishes connections between discrete choice models and multi-armed bandit algorithms, providing sublinear regret bounds and novel algorithms.
result Sublinear regret bounds for a family of algorithms, including the Exp3 algorithm.
Study on indexability of restless multi-armed bandits and rollout policy performance.
problem Maximizing discounted rewards in finite state restless multi-armed bandit problems.
method Decouple the problem into single-armed restless bandits, analyze using value iteration, and compare with Whittle index policy.
result Demonstrates conditions for indexability and compares performance of index policy and rollout policy.
A new algorithm for conversational recommendation systems using dueling bandits in GLMs.
problem Limited user feedback in existing conversational bandit methods.
method Integrates dueling bandits with relative feedback in generalized linear models.
result Theoretical and empirical validation of ConDuel's efficacy.
In this paper we propose a flexible and efficient framework for handling multi-armed bandits, combining sequential Monte Carlo algorithms with hierarchical Bayesian modeling techniques. The framework naturally encompasses restless bandits, contextual bandits, and other bandit variants under a single inferential model. …
New algorithm estimates treatment effects for more efficient contextual bandits.
problem Contextual bandits struggle with action-independent reward redundancies.
method Reduces contextual bandits to heterogeneous treatment effect estimation.
result Heterogeneous treatment effect estimation leads to more efficient model estimation.
A meta-UCB method combines stochastic bandit algorithms.
problem Combining multiple stochastic bandit algorithms efficiently.
method Meta-UCB procedure solving an N-armed bandit problem.
result Final regret depends only on the best base algorithm's regret.
Master-slave architecture tackles combinatorial multi-armed bandits with diversity constraints.
problem Solving top- K K K combinatorial multi-armed bandits with non-linear feedback and diversity constraints. method Master-slave architecture with six slave models, teacher learning, and policy co-training.
result Significantly outperforms existing algorithms in synthetic and real datasets.
Contextual bandit algorithms are sensitive to the estimation method of the outcome model as well as the exploration method used, particularly in the presence of rich heterogeneity or complex outcome models, which can lead to difficult estimation problems along the path of learning. We study a consideration for the expl…
Bayesian bandits misspecification affects UX optimization, revealing new models.
problem Misspecification of value models in Bayesian bandits impacts UX optimization.
method Formulated UXO as a restless, sleeping bandit with unobserved confounders and optional stopping. Provided model extensions to address misspecifications.
result Common misspecifications lead to sub-optimal rewards, demonstrating overdispersion's effects on bandit performance.
Bayesian optimization improved for biased data.
problem Adversarial bias in observations, especially hidden confounders.
method Reduction to dueling bandits, information-directed sampling (IDS).
result First efficient kernelized algorithm with regret guarantees.
New bandit algorithms improve sparse reward learning.
problem Sparse rewards hinder learning efficiency in real-world bandit applications.
method Developed algorithms based on Upper Confidence Bound and Thompson Sampling for zero-inflated distributions.
result Empirical performance of new algorithms is superior to existing methods.
New algorithms for model selection in linear contextual bandits without feature diversity conditions.
problem Model selection in linear contextual bandits without feature diversity conditions.
method Data-adaptive algorithms that provide model selection guarantees without feature diversity conditions.
result O(d^α T^{1-α}) model selection guarantees with no feature diversity conditions.
Chronological Causal Bandits (CCB) tackles dynamic causal decision-making.
problem Dynamic causal decision-making in a system where rewards depend on past interventions.
method Introduces a new MAB problem (Chronological Causal Bandit) where rewards are influenced by a dynamic causal model.
result Early findings show the CCB can transfer information between sequential MABs.
A framework for auto-tuning hyper-parameters in contextual bandit algorithms.
problem Auto-tuning hyper-parameters in real-time for contextual bandit algorithms.
method Proposes a Syndicated Bandits framework to learn multiple hyper-parameters dynamically.
result Achieves optimal regret bounds under certain scenarios and handles multiple contextual bandit algorithms.
New algorithm for nonstationary multi-armed bandits with optimal performance.
problem Nonstationary multi-armed bandits with changing model parameters over time.
method Adaptive Resetting Bandit (ADR-bandit) algorithm using adaptive windowing techniques.
result ADR-bandit achieves nearly optimal performance in both abrupt and gradual changes.
This review examines bandit problems in AI using statistical methods.
problem Sequential decision-making under uncertainty in AI environments.
method Foundational models, concentration inequalities, minimax regret bounds, frequentist and Bayesian algorithms, K-armed contextual bandits, SCAB, functional data analysis.
result Exploration-exploitation trade-offs and regret analyses in various bandit problems.
Balances and eliminates base algorithms in bandits and RL to bound total regret.
problem Model selection in bandits and reinforcement learning with unknown optimal regret.
method Balances and eliminates base algorithms based on candidate regret bounds.
result Total regret bound is the best valid candidate regret bound times a small multiplicative factor.
Paper tackles domain adaptation for contextual bandits with sub-linear regret.
problem Adapting contextual bandit algorithms across domains with distribution shift.
method Learn a bandit model for the target domain using feedback from the source domain.
result Sub-linear regret bound maintained across domains.
Develops first optimal algorithm for logistic bandits.
problem Pure exploration in logistic bandits.
method Logistic track-and-stop (Log-TS) algorithm.
result Asymptotically matches lower bound for expected sample complexity.
Survey and compare PAC-Bayes bounds for bandit problems.
problem Designing and evaluating bandit algorithms with strong performance guarantees.
method PAC-Bayes bounds applied to bandit problems.
result PAC-Bayes bounds useful for offline bandit algorithms, but loose for online algorithms.
We introduce the factored bandits model, which is a framework for learning with limited (bandit) feedback, where actions can be decomposed into a Cartesian product of atomic actions. Factored bandits incorporate rank-1 bandits as a special case, but significantly relax the assumptions on the form of the reward function…
A new MDP with Bandits approach for sequential decision making in linear-flow scenarios.
problem Sequential decision making with limited feedback in a linear-flow context.
method Formulated as an MDP with Bandits, using Thompson sampling for action selection and exact dynamic programming for allocation.
result The proposed MDP with Bandits algorithm outperforms other methods in sequential decision making.
A new algorithm selects models for contextual bandits, reducing regret.
problem Model selection for stochastic contextual bandits under realizability assumption.
method Adaptive Contextual Bandit (ACB) algorithm, successive refinement phases.
result ACB algorithm achieves similar regret bound to known algorithms, with a model selection cost.
This paper identifies the minimal set of nodes for optimal conditional interventions in causal bandits.
problem Optimizing decision-making in causal bandits with conditional interventions.
method Graphical characterization and efficient algorithm to identify the minimal set of nodes.
result The proposed algorithm significantly prunes the search space and accelerates convergence rates.
This paper tackles efficient federated learning for generalized linear bandits.
problem Limited communication efficiency restricts existing federated learning solutions to linear models.
method Proposes a communication-efficient solution framework using online and offline regression.
result Proves sub-linear regret and communication cost for generalized linear bandits.
Motivated by the pressing need for efficient optimization in online recommender systems, we revisit the cascading bandit model proposed by Kveton et al. (2015). While Thompson sampling (TS) algorithms have been shown to be empirically superior to Upper Confidence Bound (UCB) algorithms for cascading bandits, theoretica…
BLOB combines organic and bandit signals for better user interest estimation.
problem Combining organic and bandit signals for improved user interest estimation.
method Bayesian Latent Organic Bandit (BLOB) model using variational auto-encoders and local re-parametrization.
result BLOB outperforms organic and bandit-based methods in both organic and bandit-rich environments.
Greedy policies perform poorly in imperfectly observed contextual bandits.
problem Performance of Greedy policies in bandits with partially observed contexts.
method Analysis of Greedy reinforcement learning policies under imperfectly observed contextual bandits.
result Worst-case regret grows poly-logarithmically with the time horizon and the failure probability.
Motivated by models of human decision making proposed to explain commonly observed deviations from conventional expected value preferences, we formulate two stochastic multi-armed bandit problems with distorted probabilities on the reward distributions: the classic K K K -armed bandit and the linearly parameterized bandit…
Bandits with Knapsacks (BwK) is a general model for multi-armed bandits under supply/budget constraints. While worst-case regret bounds for BwK are well-understood, we present three results that go beyond the worst-case perspective. First, we provide upper and lower bounds which amount to a full characterization for lo…
New framework tackles submodular welfare with multi-agent combinatorial bandits.
problem Maximizing total welfare among agents with shared constraints and submodular utilities under bandit feedback.
method Proposes an explore-then-commit strategy with randomized assignments for multi-agent combinatorial bandits.
result Achieves i l d e O ( T 2 / 3 ) ilde{\mathcal{O}}(T^{2/3}) i l d e O ( T 2/3 ) regret, first for partition-based submodular welfare problem under bandit feedback. A new exploration strategy for contextual bandits reduces regret and is computationally efficient.
problem Improving exploration in contextual bandits to reduce regret.
method Feature perturbation, injecting randomness directly into feature inputs.
result Achieves i l d e O ( d T ) ilde{\mathcal{O}}(d\sqrt{T}) i l d e O ( d T ) worst-case regret bound, surpassing existing methods. A privacy-preserving algorithm for high-dimensional bandits.
problem High-dimensional stochastic contextual linear bandits with sparse parameters under privacy constraints.
method PrivateLASSO algorithm based on sparse hard-thresholding and episodic thresholding.
result Minimax private lower bounds and utility guarantees for PrivateLASSO.
Study bandit problems with BMO functions, achieving poly-log δ δ δ -regret.
problem Bandit problems with discontinuous, unbounded functions.
method Developed a toolset for BMO bandits and an algorithm achieving poly-log δ δ δ -regret. result Achieved poly-log δ δ δ -regret against an optimal arm after removing a δ δ δ -sized portion of the arm space. GAMBITTS uses GenAI for adaptive interventions, improving decision-making.
problem Adaptive interventions with GenAI-generated content.
method Generator-mediated bandit-Thompson sampling (GAMBITTS).
result GAMBITTS outperforms standard bandit methods in mobile health interventions.
We use a novel modification of Multi-Armed Bandits to create a new model for recommendation systems. We model the recommendation system as a bandit seeking to maximize reward by pulling on arms with unknown rewards. The catch however is that this bandit can only access these arms through an unreliable intermediate that…
Paper introduces risk-sensitive bandits with optimal arm mixtures.
problem Designing algorithms for risk-sensitive multi-armed bandits.
method Formalizes risk-sensitive bandits framework, identifies optimal arm mixtures, designs regret-efficient algorithms.
result Regret-efficient algorithms track optimal arm mixtures or solitary arms.
Unified framework for expert selection with bandit and lower-bound feedback.
problem Selecting the best expert in scenarios with bandit feedback and lower-bound information.
method Introduces a new feedback model combining bandit and lower-bound information, proving optimal regret bounds for modified Exp3 algorithms.
result Optimal regret bounds for modified Exp3 algorithms, generalizing both bandit and full-information settings.
New model for display advertising with stochastic and adversarial components.
problem Display advertising with stochastic and adversarial click-through-rates.
method Adversarial scaling model; two algorithms tested: action elimination and mirror descent.
result Two algorithms are robust to adversarial scaling.
New bandit model for e-commerce with ordered categories.
problem Optimizing customer experience in e-commerce with unknown preferences.
method Introducing three types of ordering between categories and proving lower bounds on cumulative regret.
result Proved that algorithms can fully leverage the structure of the model with theoretical guarantees.
The paper improves bandit algorithms by incorporating random-effect models.
problem Improving statistical efficiency in multi-armed bandit problems with misspecified priors.
method Introduces a random-effect model to bandits, estimating arm means and designing a UCB algorithm ReUCB.
result Derives an upper bound on the Bayes regret of ReUCB, showing improved performance over Thompson sampling.
New method for semiparametric bandits reduces regret to optimal levels.
problem Complex reward structures in semiparametric bandits.
method Experimental-design approach with sharp regret bound and PAC bound.
result Minimax regret of i l d e O ( d T ) ilde{O}(\sqrt{dT}) i l d e O ( d T ) and logarithmic regret under positive suboptimality gap.