The Bounds of Algorithmic Collusion; $Q$-learning, Gradient Learning, and the Folk Theorem

Fuente: arXiv
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Main Authors: Askenazi-Golan, Galit, Cecchelli, Domenico Mergoni, Plumb, Edward, Possnig, Clemens
Format: Preprint
Published: 2024
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author Askenazi-Golan, Galit
Cecchelli, Domenico Mergoni
Plumb, Edward
Possnig, Clemens
author_facet Askenazi-Golan, Galit
Cecchelli, Domenico Mergoni
Plumb, Edward
Possnig, Clemens
contents We explore the behaviour emerging from learning agents repeatedly interacting strategically for a wide range of learning dynamics, including $Q$-learning, projected gradient, replicator and log-barrier dynamics. Going beyond the better understood classes of potential games and zero-sum games, we consider the setting of a general repeated game with finite recall under different forms of monitoring. We obtain a Folk Theorem-style result and characterise the set of payoff vectors that can be obtained by these dynamics, discovering a wide range of possibilities for the emergence of algorithmic collusion. Achieving this requires a novel technical approach, which, to the best of our knowledge, yields the first convergence result for multi-agent $Q$-learning algorithms in repeated games.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2411_12725
institution arXiv
publishDate 2024
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle The Bounds of Algorithmic Collusion; $Q$-learning, Gradient Learning, and the Folk Theorem
Askenazi-Golan, Galit
Cecchelli, Domenico Mergoni
Plumb, Edward
Possnig, Clemens
Computer Science and Game Theory
Theoretical Economics
Machine Learning
We explore the behaviour emerging from learning agents repeatedly interacting strategically for a wide range of learning dynamics, including $Q$-learning, projected gradient, replicator and log-barrier dynamics. Going beyond the better understood classes of potential games and zero-sum games, we consider the setting of a general repeated game with finite recall under different forms of monitoring. We obtain a Folk Theorem-style result and characterise the set of payoff vectors that can be obtained by these dynamics, discovering a wide range of possibilities for the emergence of algorithmic collusion. Achieving this requires a novel technical approach, which, to the best of our knowledge, yields the first convergence result for multi-agent $Q$-learning algorithms in repeated games.
title The Bounds of Algorithmic Collusion; $Q$-learning, Gradient Learning, and the Folk Theorem
topic Computer Science and Game Theory
Theoretical Economics
Machine Learning
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2411.12725