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arXiv · 2212.14392

Eliminating Meta Optimization Through Self-Referential Meta Learning

Louis Kirsch·Jürgen Schmidhuber
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Abstract

Meta Learning automates the search for learning algorithms. At the same time, it creates a dependency on human engineering on the meta-level, where meta learning algorithms need to be designed. In this paper, we investigate self-referential meta learning systems that modify themselves without the need for explicit meta optimization. We discuss the relationship of such systems to in-context and memory-based meta learning and show that self-referential neural networks require functionality to be reused in the form of parameter sharing. Finally, we propose fitness monotonic execution (FME), a simple approach to avoid explicit meta optimization. A neural network self-modifies to solve bandit and classic control tasks, improves its self-modifications, and learns how to learn, purely by assigning more computational resources to better performing solutions.

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Louis Kirsch, Jürgen Schmidhuber. 2022-12-29. Eliminating Meta Optimization Through Self-Referential Meta Learning. https://arxiv.org/abs/2212.14392

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