Diffusion Models are Evolutionary Algorithms

Fuente: arXiv
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Hauptverfasser: Zhang, Yanbo, Hartl, Benedikt, Hazan, Hananel, Levin, Michael
Format: Preprint
Veröffentlicht: 2024
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author Zhang, Yanbo
Hartl, Benedikt
Hazan, Hananel
Levin, Michael
author_facet Zhang, Yanbo
Hartl, Benedikt
Hazan, Hananel
Levin, Michael
contents In a convergence of machine learning and biology, we reveal that diffusion models are evolutionary algorithms. By considering evolution as a denoising process and reversed evolution as diffusion, we mathematically demonstrate that diffusion models inherently perform evolutionary algorithms, naturally encompassing selection, mutation, and reproductive isolation. Building on this equivalence, we propose the Diffusion Evolution method: an evolutionary algorithm utilizing iterative denoising -- as originally introduced in the context of diffusion models -- to heuristically refine solutions in parameter spaces. Unlike traditional approaches, Diffusion Evolution efficiently identifies multiple optimal solutions and outperforms prominent mainstream evolutionary algorithms. Furthermore, leveraging advanced concepts from diffusion models, namely latent space diffusion and accelerated sampling, we introduce Latent Space Diffusion Evolution, which finds solutions for evolutionary tasks in high-dimensional complex parameter space while significantly reducing computational steps. This parallel between diffusion and evolution not only bridges two different fields but also opens new avenues for mutual enhancement, raising questions about open-ended evolution and potentially utilizing non-Gaussian or discrete diffusion models in the context of Diffusion Evolution.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2410_02543
institution arXiv
publishDate 2024
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Diffusion Models are Evolutionary Algorithms
Zhang, Yanbo
Hartl, Benedikt
Hazan, Hananel
Levin, Michael
Neural and Evolutionary Computing
Machine Learning
In a convergence of machine learning and biology, we reveal that diffusion models are evolutionary algorithms. By considering evolution as a denoising process and reversed evolution as diffusion, we mathematically demonstrate that diffusion models inherently perform evolutionary algorithms, naturally encompassing selection, mutation, and reproductive isolation. Building on this equivalence, we propose the Diffusion Evolution method: an evolutionary algorithm utilizing iterative denoising -- as originally introduced in the context of diffusion models -- to heuristically refine solutions in parameter spaces. Unlike traditional approaches, Diffusion Evolution efficiently identifies multiple optimal solutions and outperforms prominent mainstream evolutionary algorithms. Furthermore, leveraging advanced concepts from diffusion models, namely latent space diffusion and accelerated sampling, we introduce Latent Space Diffusion Evolution, which finds solutions for evolutionary tasks in high-dimensional complex parameter space while significantly reducing computational steps. This parallel between diffusion and evolution not only bridges two different fields but also opens new avenues for mutual enhancement, raising questions about open-ended evolution and potentially utilizing non-Gaussian or discrete diffusion models in the context of Diffusion Evolution.
title Diffusion Models are Evolutionary Algorithms
topic Neural and Evolutionary Computing
Machine Learning
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2410.02543