Decision Machines embeds decision trees into vector spaces for improved optimization.
problem Overfitting and difficulty in finding optimal decision tree structure.
method Embedding Boolean tests into a binary vector space and representing tree structure as matrices.
result Optimized decision trees with enhanced predictive power.
Develops a new method for decision trees using categorical variable structure.
problem Lack of structure in treating categorical variables as predictors.
method Introduces a mathematical framework to represent categorical structure and generalizes decision trees to utilize this structure.
result Improves prediction accuracy on weather data using the new method.
Paper formalizes a reinforcement learning model for complex information structures.
problem Complex interdependence in sequential decision-making problems.
method Formalizes a novel reinforcement learning model with explicit information structure representation.
result Upper bound on sample complexity of learning general sequential decision-making problems.
The paper tackles decision making problems with funnel structure in email marketing campaigns.
problem Decision making challenges in systems with funnel structure, where fewer observations are received from deeper layers.
method Formulated as a contextual bandit with funnel structure and developed a multi-task learning algorithm.
result Our algorithms offer significant improvement over previous methods in email marketing campaigns.
This review explores causal decision-making to improve decision quality.
problem Effective decision-making requires understanding causal relationships.
method Causal structure learning, causal effect learning, and causal policy learning.
result Challenges in causal decision-making are identified and recent advances are discussed.
Improved model-free reinforcement learning with decision-estimation coefficient.
problem Interactive decision making, including structured bandits and reinforcement learning.
method Combining Estimation-to-Decisions with optimistic estimation to achieve better regret bounds.
result Regret bounds for model-free reinforcement learning with value function approximation.
The paper provides a method to minimize regret in estimate-then-optimize decision-making.
problem Errors in estimation lead to sub-optimal decisions in data-driven decision-making.
method A novel bound on regret for smooth and unconstrained optimization problems, followed by experimental design to minimize this regret.
result A general procedure for experimental design to minimize regret resulting from estimate-then-optimize.
Discriminative classifiers improve decision-making in SHM systems.
problem Lack of descriptive labels for SHM data.
method Risk-based active learning with discriminative classifiers.
result Discriminative classifiers offer improved robustness and reduced inspection costs.
Study optimizes inspection and monitoring of deteriorating structures using POMDPs.
problem Optimizing decision-making for deteriorating engineering systems with uncertain observations.
method Developed theoretical and computational foundations for Value of Information (VoI) and Value of Structural Health Monitoring (VoSHM) in POMDPs.
result POMDP policies inherently leverage VoI to guide optimal observational actions, improving long-term cost.
Risk-based active learning improves SHM decision-making.
problem Lack of prior labels for structural health monitoring.
method Risk-based active learning approach to guide data labeling.
result Improves decision-maker's performance in SHM.
New method improves decision-making accuracy without complex calculations.
problem Improving decision-making accuracy in machine learning.
method Introducing a new measure called calibration decision loss ( C D L K \mathsf{CDL}_K CDL K ) for structured families of post-processing functions. result Proves upper and lower bounds for natural classes K K K of post-processing functions. Geometric methods solve sampling, optimisation, inference, and adaptive decision-making.
problem Efficient solutions for sampling, optimisation, inference, and adaptive decision-making.
method Derive algorithms exploiting geometric structures of Hamiltonian systems, Hilbertian subspaces, and information geometry.
result Wide range of geometric theories emerge in these fields, enabling efficient solutions.
New bounds show complexity of adversarial decision making.
problem Understanding sample efficiency in adversarial decision making.
method New upper and lower bounds on Decision-Estimation Coefficient.
result Decision-Estimation Coefficient is necessary and sufficient for low regret in adversarial decision making.
New method learns representations for decision forests using input perturbation.
problem Decision forests struggle with raw structured data and lack effective representations.
method Approximate decision forest gradients through input perturbation.
result Effective representation learning for decision forests without structural changes.
New method controls false discoveries in real-time data streams.
problem Online testing of hypotheses with strict error constraints and no future data.
method Structure-adaptive sequential testing (SAST) with alpha-investment algorithm.
result Substantial power gain over existing online testing rules.
Advances conditions for neural networks to learn connected decision regions.
problem Conditions for neural networks to learn connected decision regions.
method Developed sufficient and necessary conditions for connected decision regions using a wider class of activation functions.
result Proven neural networks with pyramidal structure and certain activation functions produce connected decision regions.
DAT-CGAN improves time series generation for better decision support.
problem Generating accurate time series data for decision support.
method DAT-CGAN uses multi-Wasserstein loss and overlapped block-sampling for improved sample efficiency.
result DAT-CGAN outperforms GAN-based baselines in generating data relevant to decision processes.
Measures neural network decision boundary volume to predict model performance.
problem Understanding the geometry of deep learning models for better performance.
method Local surface volumes to measure decision boundary, applying Weyl's tube formula.
result Smaller surface volume correlates with higher classification accuracy.
New formalism for decision making combines causal structures with MDPs, improving reinforcement learning performance.
problem Sequential decision making with causal knowledge to improve performance.
method Causal Markov Decision Processes (C-MDPs) and C-UCBVI algorithm exploiting causal structure.
result C-UCBVI achieves an i l d e O ( H S Z T ) ilde{O}(HS\sqrt{ZT}) i l d e O ( H S Z T ) regret bound, independent of actions. SRL embeds combinatorial optimization into RL for better decision-making.
problem Challenges of standard RL in complex, structured decision-making problems.
method Structured Reinforcement Learning (SRL) with combinatorial optimization layers in actor neural network.
result SRL outperforms unstructured RL and imitation learning by up to 92% on dynamic problems.
Study minimax optimal RL in factored MDPs with bonus exploration.
problem Optimal reinforcement learning in episodic factored MDPs.
method Proposes two model-based algorithms with bonus exploration for minimax optimal regret.
result Achieves minimax optimal regret guarantees for rich factored structures.
New algorithm DUSA minimizes regret in structured bandits with structural information.
problem Optimal decision-making under uncertainty with structural reward information.
method DUSA algorithm exploiting convex structural information.
result Regret matches information-theoretic lower bound up to a constant factor.
Image compression techniques reveal network structure for shipping box optimization.
problem Designing and planning shipping box networks between nodes.
method Image transformations and Bayesian reinforcement learning.
result Learned network structure can recommend future connectivity.
New decision-theoretic characterization separates belief and decision posteriors.
problem Understanding the conditions under which loss-based updating coincides with Bayesian updating.
method Decision-theoretic approach to distinguish belief and decision posteriors.
result Generalized Bayes coincides with ordinary Bayesian updating only if the loss is proportional to negative log-likelihood.
Paper evaluates how forecast errors affect optimal utilisation in production planning.
problem Forecast errors impact optimal utilisation in production planning.
method Simulation and mixed integer programming for stochastic demand.
result Forecast errors significantly affect optimal costs in production planning.
New algorithm adapts to changing action sets in sequential decision making.
problem Adapting to a changing action set in sequential decision making problems.
method Breaks the problem into inferring action structure and optimizing policy.
result Demonstrates efficiency on real-world lifelong learning problems.
Paper tackles robust decision-making from multiple sites with shared structure.
problem Learning robust sequential decisions from heterogeneous multi-site datasets.
method Group-Robust MDPs with d-rectangular uncertainty sets, feature-wise worst-case aggregation, and cluster-level pooling.
result Proves suboptimality bound for robust planning policy under robust partial coverage assumption.
New algorithm tracks COVID-19 outbreak phases.
problem Decision-making in pandemic data.
method Developed a new algorithm (BLLR) based on decision theory.
result Demonstrated ability to track different phases of the COVID-19 outbreak.
The paper develops methods to estimate POMDPs from partial information.
problem Making decisions under partial information about state variables.
method Structural estimation of POMDP primitives using observable history.
result Conditions for model identifiability without state dynamics knowledge.
Improves generative models for cost-sensitive decisions.
problem Generative models lack awareness of decision costs.
method Integrates a decision loss into the training objective.
result Improves cost-sensitive forecast accuracy.
New online method for statistical inference with matrix context in decision-making.
problem Statistical inference in decision-making with matrix context.
method Proposes a fully online procedure to conduct statistical inference with adaptive data collection, handling low-rank structure.
result Establishes asymptotic normality of debiased estimators and proves validity of confidence intervals.
Framework for robust decision making in changing environments with privacy constraints.
problem Interactive decision making in changing environments with constraints.
method Hybrid Decision Making with Structured Observations (hybrid DMSO) framework, local differentially private decision making, query-based learning, robust and smooth decision making.
result Strong connections and bounds derived for DEC, SQ dimension, local minimax complexity, learnability, and joint differential privacy.
Additive models, such as produced by gradient boosting, and full interaction models, such as classification and regression trees (CART), are widely used algorithms that have been investigated largely in isolation. We show that these models exist along a spectrum, revealing never-before-known connections between these t…
A RL algorithm learns optimal multi-threshold policies for MDPs.
problem Overcoming the curse of dimensionality in MDPs.
method Structure-aware RL algorithm exploiting multi-threshold optimal policies.
result The algorithm converges to the optimal policy asymptotically.
We consider an adversarial online learning setting where a decision maker can choose an action in every stage of the game. In addition to observing the reward of the chosen action, the decision maker gets side observations on the reward he would have obtained had he chosen some of the other actions. The observation str…
Decision trees are a popular technique in statistical data classification. They recursively partition the feature space into disjoint sub-regions until each sub-region becomes homogeneous with respect to a particular class. The basic Classification and Regression Tree (CART) algorithm partitions the feature space using…
The paper introduces new measures to quantify variability in decision tree models due to observational multiplicity.
problem The variability in decision tree models due to observational multiplicity.
method Introduces leaf regret and structural regret to decompose observational multiplicity.
result Structural regret is the primary driver of observational multiplicity, accounting for over 15 times the variability of leaf regret in some datasets.
We characterize value functions in partially observable MDPs as semi-algebraic sets.
problem Understanding feasible value functions in partially observable Markov decision processes.
method Characterization of feasible value functions as semi-algebraic sets defined by polynomial inequalities.
result The feasible set of value functions in POMDPs is a semi-algebraic set, not a polytope as in MDPs.
New research shows machine-assisted decisions can still be unfair even when the algorithm is fair.
problem Ensuring fairness in decisions made with machine-assisted human input.
method Formal model and lab experiment to analyze how machine predictions affect human decisions.
result Excluding information about protected groups from machine predictions can increase disparities.
Paper develops a framework for learning interpretable representations of sequential decision behavior.
problem Obtaining a transparent description of existing behavior.
method Inverse decision modeling framework, formalizing both forward and inverse problems.
result Learning interpretable representations of behavior, including suboptimal actions, biased beliefs, and imperfect knowledge.
New algorithm finds optimal decision trees for binary variables.
problem Greedy decision tree algorithms often produce suboptimal models.
method Analytical bounds and modern systems techniques co-designed for efficient search space reduction.
result First practical algorithm for optimal decision trees for binary variables.
FoLDTree improves oblique decision trees with ULDA, enhancing accuracy and feature selection.
problem Axis-orthogonal splits limit traditional decision trees' performance on oblique decision boundaries.
method Integrates ULDA into decision tree structure for efficient oblique splits, feature selection, and handling missing values.
result FoLDTree outperforms other methods in accuracy and feature selection, comparable to random forest.
StructureBoost improves gradient boosting for complex categorical variables efficiently.
problem Efficiently handling complex categorical variables with known structure.
method Two methods to overcome computational obstacles in SCDT enumeration for structured categorical variables.
result StructureBoost outperforms existing packages on complex categorical problems.
The study analyzes decision trees on real and categorical features, deriving bounds on their VC dimension and proposing improved pruning algorithms.
problem Understanding the generalization properties of decision trees on different types of features.
method Introducing partitioning functions, relating them to growth functions and VC dimension, and deriving bounds for decision stumps and trees of various structures.
result Exact VC dimension of decision stumps and improved pruning algorithms for binary trees.
Proposes efficient algorithm for system-level I&M decisions under uncertainty.
problem Optimal management strategies for deteriorating civil engineering systems.
method Factored partially observable Markov decision process with Bayesian networks and DDMAC reinforcement learning.
result DDMAC policies offer substantial benefits over heuristic approaches in system-level cost optimization.
Framework improves resilience in operations through joint long-term and short-term decision-making.
problem Resilient operations in global markets require adaptive decision rules.
method Developed a two-timescale hierarchical reinforcement learning framework.
result Framework increases mean profit by 9.2% under joint demand-supply shocks and 11.8% under prolonged shocks.
Introduces tensor bandits for multi-dimensional online decision making.
problem Optimal decision making in multi-dimensional online scenarios.
method Stochastic low-rank tensor bandits, tensor elimination, tensor epoch-greedy, tensor ensemble sampling.
result Tensor elimination and tensor epoch-greedy algorithms outperform existing methods.
Graph-based NAS improves sample efficiency in architecture design.
problem Current NAS search spaces are static sequences, limiting expressiveness.
method Proposed graph-based search space with vertices and edges for iterative and branching decisions.
result Graph representation improves sample efficiency in architecture design.