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What is: Population Based Training?

SourcePopulation Based Training of Neural Networks
Year2000
Data SourceCC BY-SA - https://paperswithcode.com

Population Based Training, or PBT, is an optimization method for finding parameters and hyperparameters, and extends upon parallel search methods and sequential optimisation methods. It leverages information sharing across a population of concurrently running optimisation processes, and allows for online propagation/transfer of parameters and hyperparameters between members of the population based on their performance. Furthermore, unlike most other adaptation schemes, the method is capable of performing online adaptation of hyperparameters -- which can be particularly important in problems with highly non-stationary learning dynamics, such as reinforcement learning settings. PBT is decentralised and asynchronous, although it could also be executed semi-serially or with partial synchrony if there is a binding budget constraint.