MCCE: A Framework for Multi-LLM Collaborative Co-Evolution

Fuente: arXiv
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Main Authors: Ran, Nian, Li, Zhongzheng, Wang, Yue, Ran, Qingsong, Zhang, Xiaoyuan, Feng, Shikun, Allmendinger, Richard, Zhao, Xiaoguang
Format: Preprint
Published: 2025
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author Ran, Nian
Li, Zhongzheng
Wang, Yue
Ran, Qingsong
Zhang, Xiaoyuan
Feng, Shikun
Allmendinger, Richard
Zhao, Xiaoguang
author_facet Ran, Nian
Li, Zhongzheng
Wang, Yue
Ran, Qingsong
Zhang, Xiaoyuan
Feng, Shikun
Allmendinger, Richard
Zhao, Xiaoguang
contents Multi-objective discrete optimization problems, such as molecular design, pose significant challenges due to their vast and unstructured combinatorial spaces. Traditional evolutionary algorithms often get trapped in local optima, while expert knowledge can provide crucial guidance for accelerating convergence. Large language models (LLMs) offer powerful priors and reasoning ability, making them natural optimizers when expert knowledge matters. However, closed-source LLMs, though strong in exploration, cannot update their parameters and thus cannot internalize experience. Conversely, smaller open models can be continually fine-tuned but lack broad knowledge and reasoning strength. We introduce Multi-LLM Collaborative Co-evolution (MCCE), a hybrid framework that unites a frozen closed-source LLM with a lightweight trainable model. The system maintains a trajectory memory of past search processes; the small model is progressively refined via reinforcement learning, with the two models jointly supporting and complementing each other in global exploration. Unlike model distillation, this process enhances the capabilities of both models through mutual inspiration. Experiments on multi-objective drug design benchmarks show that MCCE achieves state-of-the-art Pareto front quality and consistently outperforms baselines. These results highlight a new paradigm for enabling continual evolution in hybrid LLM systems, combining knowledge-driven exploration with experience-driven learning.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2510_06270
institution arXiv
publishDate 2025
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle MCCE: A Framework for Multi-LLM Collaborative Co-Evolution
Ran, Nian
Li, Zhongzheng
Wang, Yue
Ran, Qingsong
Zhang, Xiaoyuan
Feng, Shikun
Allmendinger, Richard
Zhao, Xiaoguang
Machine Learning
Artificial Intelligence
Multi-objective discrete optimization problems, such as molecular design, pose significant challenges due to their vast and unstructured combinatorial spaces. Traditional evolutionary algorithms often get trapped in local optima, while expert knowledge can provide crucial guidance for accelerating convergence. Large language models (LLMs) offer powerful priors and reasoning ability, making them natural optimizers when expert knowledge matters. However, closed-source LLMs, though strong in exploration, cannot update their parameters and thus cannot internalize experience. Conversely, smaller open models can be continually fine-tuned but lack broad knowledge and reasoning strength. We introduce Multi-LLM Collaborative Co-evolution (MCCE), a hybrid framework that unites a frozen closed-source LLM with a lightweight trainable model. The system maintains a trajectory memory of past search processes; the small model is progressively refined via reinforcement learning, with the two models jointly supporting and complementing each other in global exploration. Unlike model distillation, this process enhances the capabilities of both models through mutual inspiration. Experiments on multi-objective drug design benchmarks show that MCCE achieves state-of-the-art Pareto front quality and consistently outperforms baselines. These results highlight a new paradigm for enabling continual evolution in hybrid LLM systems, combining knowledge-driven exploration with experience-driven learning.
title MCCE: A Framework for Multi-LLM Collaborative Co-Evolution
topic Machine Learning
Artificial Intelligence
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2510.06270