Improving confidence of dual averaging stochastic online learning via aggregation

Abstract

Stochastic online learning algorithms typically exhibit slow convergence speed, but their solutions of moderate accuracy often suffice in practice. Since the outcomes of these algorithms are random variables, not only their accuracy but also their probability of achieving a certain accuracy, called confidence, is important. We show that a rather simple aggregation of outcomes from parallel dual averaging runs can provide a solution with improved confidence, and it can be controlled by the number of runs, independently of the length of learning processes. © 2012 Springer-Verlag.