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Cambridge Image Analysis Seminars

Stochastic particle systems for global optimization

With Lorenzo Pareschi, Heriot-Watt University

Stochastic particle systems for global optimization: a journey from metaheuristics to PDEs

Optimization methods based on stochastic particle systems have a rich history and hold significant importance in various applications today, spanning from machine learning to optimal control. Many of these methods rely on metaheuristic algorithms, which often lack a rigorous mathematical foundation. Recently, leveraging tools inspired by statistical physics has enabled the description of these gradient-free algorithms through the lens of kinetic and mean-field PDEs. This approach provides convergence guarantees to the global minimum under mild assumptions on the objective function and allows for the introduction of novel enhancements to improve the algorithms’ performance. In this presentation, we will exemplify these concepts using popular algorithms like simulated annealing, genetic algorithms and particle swarm optimization.

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