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Title: Some experiments in machine learning using vector evaluated genetic algorithms

Thesis/Dissertation ·
OSTI ID:5673304

This dissertation describes experiments conducted to explore the efficacy of using vector-valued feedback with a class of adaptive procedures called genetic algorithms. The software system developed was called VEGA for Vector Evaluated Genetic Algorithm and was first used on multiple objective optimization problems. The main conclusion of these experiments was that VEGA provided a powerful and robust search technique for complex multiobjective optimization problems of high order when little or no a priori knowledge was available to guide the search. These results were similar to those found by previous researchers using scalar genetic algorithms for scalar optimization problems. The VEGA technique was then applied to multiclass pattern discrimination tasks. The resulting software system was called LS-2 for Learning System-Two, since it followed closely the lead of a scalar-valued learning system called LS-1 developed by Stephen Smith. These experiments revealed that LS-2 was able to evolve high performance production system programs to perform the pattern discrimination tasks it was given. The VEGA approach demonstrates the efficacy of extending the previously demonstrated power of genetic algorithms to vector-valued problems and, thereby, provides a new approach to machine learning.

Research Organization:
Vanderbilt Univ., Nashville, TN (USA)
OSTI ID:
5673304
Resource Relation:
Other Information: Thesis (Ph. D.)
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English