arXiv:2510.27001v1 Announce Type: new 
Abstract: Multi-armed bandit (MAB) problems serve as a fundamental building block for more complex reinforcement learning algorithms. However, evaluating and comparing MAB algorithms remains challenging due to the lack of standardized conditions and replicability. This is particularly problematic for variance-aware extensions of classical methods like UCB, whose performance can heavily depend on the underlying environment. In this study, we address how performance differences between bandit algorithms can be reliably observed, and under what conditions variance-aware algorithms outperform classical ones. We present a reproducible evaluation designed to systematically compare eight classical and variance-aware MAB algorithms. The evaluation framework, implemented in our Bandit Playground codebase, features clearly defined experimental setups, multiple performance metrics (reward, regret, reward distribution, value-at-risk, and action optimality), and an interactive evaluation interface that supports consistent and transparent analysis. We show that variance-aware algorithms can offer advantages in settings with high uncertainty where the difficulty arises from subtle differences between arm rewards. In contrast, classical algorithms often perform equally well or better in more separable scenarios or if fine-tuned extensively. Our contributions are twofold: (1) a framework for systematic evaluation of MAB algorithms, and (2) insights into the conditions under which variance-aware approaches outperform their classical counterparts.

تم إصدار دراسة جديدة تتناول تحديات تقييم خوارزميات bandit متعددة الأذرع، وخاصة تلك التي تأخذ في الاعتبار التباين. هذه البحث مهم لأنه يهدف إلى وضع شروط موحدة لاختبار هذه الخوارزميات، والتي يمكن أن تؤثر بشكل كبير على أدائها في بيئات مختلفة. من خلال تحسين إطار التقييم، لا تعزز الدراسة فقط موثوقية المقارنات بين الخوارزميات، بل تساهم أيضًا في تقدم تقنيات التعلم المعزز.

Se ha publicado un nuevo estudio que aborda los desafíos de la evaluación de algoritmos de bandido multi-brazo, especialmente aquellos que son conscientes de la varianza. Esta investigación es crucial ya que busca establecer condiciones estandarizadas para probar estos algoritmos, lo que puede afectar significativamente su rendimiento en diferentes entornos. Al mejorar el marco de evaluación, el estudio no solo aumenta la fiabilidad de las comparaciones entre algoritmos, sino que también contribuye al avance de las técnicas de aprendizaje por refuerzo.

Une nouvelle étude a été publiée abordant les défis de l'évaluation des algorithmes de bandit manchot, en particulier ceux qui tiennent compte de la variance. Cette recherche est cruciale car elle vise à établir des conditions standardisées pour tester ces algorithmes, ce qui peut avoir un impact significatif sur leurs performances dans différents environnements. En améliorant le cadre d'évaluation, l'étude renforce non seulement la fiabilité des comparaisons entre algorithmes, mais contribue également à l'avancement des techniques d'apprentissage par renforcement.

A new study has been released addressing the challenges of evaluating multi-armed bandit algorithms, particularly those that are variance-aware. This research is crucial as it aims to establish standardized conditions for testing these algorithms, which can significantly impact their performance in different environments. By improving the evaluation framework, the study not only enhances the reliability of comparisons between algorithms but also contributes to the advancement of reinforcement learning techniques.

A Framework for Fair Evaluation of Variance-Aware Bandit Algorithms

arXiv:2601.08247v1 Announce Type: new 
Abstract: Financial markets are influenced by human behavior that deviates from rationality due to cognitive biases. Traditional reinforcement learning (RL) models for financial decision-making assume rational agents, potentially overlooking the impact of psychological factors. This study integrates cognitive biases into RL frameworks for financial trading, hypothesizing that such models can exhibit human-like trading behavior and achieve better risk-adjusted returns than standard RL agents. We introduce biases, such as overconfidence and loss aversion, into reward structures and decision-making processes and evaluate their performance in simulated and real-world trading environments. Despite its inconclusive or negative results, this study provides insights into the challenges of incorporating human-like biases into RL, offering valuable lessons for developing robust financial AI systems.

دراسة حديثة نُشرت على arXiv تستكشف دمج التحيزات المعرفية في أطر التعلم المعزز (RL) لاتخاذ القرارات المالية، مشددةً على كيفية تأثير سلوك الإنسان المتأثر بتحيزات مثل الثقة الزائدة والقلق من الخسارة على استراتيجيات التداول. تهدف الأبحاث إلى إثبات أن نماذج التعلم المعزز التي تتضمن هذه التحيزات يمكن أن تحقق عوائد معدلة للمخاطر أفضل مقارنة بالنماذج التقليدية التي تفترض العقلانية.

Un estudio reciente publicado en arXiv explora la integración de sesgos cognitivos en los marcos de aprendizaje por refuerzo (RL) para la toma de decisiones financieras, destacando cómo el comportamiento humano influenciado por sesgos como la sobreconfianza y la aversión a la pérdida puede afectar las estrategias de trading. La investigación busca demostrar que los modelos de RL que incorporan estos sesgos pueden lograr mejores rendimientos ajustados al riesgo en comparación con los modelos tradicionales que asumen racionalidad.

Une étude récente publiée sur arXiv examine l'intégration des biais cognitifs dans les cadres d'apprentissage par renforcement (RL) pour la prise de décision financière, soulignant comment le comportement humain influencé par des biais tels que la surconfiance et l'aversion à la perte peut affecter les stratégies de trading. La recherche vise à démontrer que les modèles RL intégrant ces biais peuvent obtenir de meilleurs rendements ajustés au risque par rapport aux modèles traditionnels qui supposent la rationalité.

A recent study published on arXiv explores the integration of cognitive biases into reinforcement learning (RL) frameworks for financial decision-making, highlighting how human behavior influenced by biases like overconfidence and loss aversion can affect trading strategies. The research aims to demonstrate that RL models incorporating these biases can achieve better risk-adjusted returns compared to traditional models that assume rationality.

Incorporating Cognitive Biases into Reinforcement Learning for Financial Decision-Making

arXiv:2510.21060v2 Announce Type: replace 
Abstract: Policy optimization (PO) is a cornerstone of modern reinforcement learning (RL), with diverse applications spanning robotics, healthcare, and large language model training. The increasing deployment of PO in sensitive domains, however, raises significant privacy concerns. In this paper, we initiate a theoretical study of differentially private policy optimization, focusing explicitly on its sample complexity. We first formalize an appropriate definition of differential privacy (DP) tailored to PO, addressing the inherent challenges arising from on-policy learning dynamics and the subtlety involved in defining the unit of privacy. We then systematically analyze the sample complexity of widely-used PO algorithms, including policy gradient (PG), natural policy gradient (NPG) and more, under DP constraints and various settings, via a unified framework. Our theoretical results demonstrate that privacy costs can often manifest as lower-order terms in the sample complexity, while also highlighting subtle yet important observations in private PO settings. These offer valuable practical insights for privacy-preserving PO algorithms.

تم نشر دراسة حديثة حول تحسين السياسات بشكل مختلف (DPPO) تركز على تعقيد العينة في تحسين السياسات (PO) في التعلم المعزز (RL). تتناول هذه الدراسة المخاوف المتعلقة بالخصوصية في التطبيقات الحساسة مثل الروبوتات والرعاية الصحية من خلال صياغة تعريف للخصوصية المختلفة يتناسب مع PO وتحليل تعقيد العينة لعدة خوارزميات PO تحت قيود DP.

Se ha publicado un estudio reciente sobre la optimización de políticas diferencialmente privadas (DPPO), centrado en la complejidad de muestra de la optimización de políticas (PO) en el aprendizaje por refuerzo (RL). Esta investigación aborda las preocupaciones de privacidad en aplicaciones sensibles como la robótica y la atención médica al formalizar una definición de privacidad diferencial adaptada a la PO y analizar la complejidad de muestra de varios algoritmos de PO bajo restricciones de DP.

Une étude récente sur l'optimisation de politiques différemment privées (DPPO) a été publiée, se concentrant sur la complexité d'échantillonnage de l'optimisation de politiques (PO) dans l'apprentissage par renforcement (RL). Cette recherche aborde les préoccupations en matière de confidentialité dans des applications sensibles telles que la robotique et les soins de santé en formalisant une définition de la confidentialité différentielle adaptée à la PO et en analysant la complexité d'échantillonnage de divers algorithmes de PO sous des contraintes de DP.

A recent study on differentially private policy optimization (DPPO) has been published, focusing on the sample complexity of policy optimization (PO) in reinforcement learning (RL). This research addresses privacy concerns in sensitive applications such as robotics and healthcare by formalizing a definition of differential privacy tailored to PO and analyzing the sample complexity of various PO algorithms under DP constraints.

On the Sample Complexity of Differentially Private Policy Optimization

One More Thing in AI – Your Shortcut to AI Mastery

A Framework for Fair Evaluation of Variance-Aware Bandit Algorithms

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