Beetle antennae search for neural network model with application to population prediction: An intelligent optimization algorithm

Abstract

Traditional back-propagation (BP) neural networks can implement complex nonlinear mapping relationships, and solve internal mechanism problems. However, as number of samples increases, training BP neural networks may consume a lot of time. For this reason, to improve the efficiency as well as prediction accuracy of the neural network model, in this paper, we propose an intelligent optimization algorithm, by leveraging the beetle antennae search (BAS) strategy to optimize the weights of neural network model, and apply it to the population prediction. A series of experiments demonstrate the improved accuracy of the proposed algorithm over BP neural networks. In particular, the calculation time spent of neural network model via the proposed algorithm is only 20% of the one of BP neural network model. Finally, we present a reasonable trend of population growth in China, and analyze the causes of changes in population trends, which may provide an effective basis for the department to adjust population development strategies.