FAB: A First-Order AB-based Gradient Algorithm for Distributed Bilevel Optimization over Time-Varying Directed Graphs

Fuente: arXiv
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Auteurs principaux: Ma, Yaoshuai, Wang, Xiao, Yao, Wei, Zhang, Jin
Format: Preprint
Publié: 2026
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author Ma, Yaoshuai
Wang, Xiao
Yao, Wei
Zhang, Jin
author_facet Ma, Yaoshuai
Wang, Xiao
Yao, Wei
Zhang, Jin
contents Distributed optimization over time-varying directed graphs has shown promising performance in addressing challenges posed by complex communication constraints in real-world scenarios. In many practical settings, however, the direct application of distributed optimization algorithms encounters additional difficulties, most notably hyperparameter tuning, which our empirical observations suggest can be effectively mitigated by integrating bilevel optimization. Motivated by these findings, we study distributed bilevel optimization over time-varying directed networks, a problem that remains largely unexplored due to the compounded challenges arising from consensus bias in dynamic unbalanced communication and the nested optimization structure. In this work, we propose a fully first-order distributed gradient-based algorithm that integrates the Push-Pull (also known as AB) communication strategy with a value function-based penalty method and establish its non-asymptotic convergence properties. Notably, a simplified variant of our analysis framework for nonconvex single-level distributed optimization establishes a convergence rate for the Push-Pull algorithm, thereby resolving an open question concerning its convergence over time-varying directed graphs. Empirical evaluations across diverse tasks, including hyperparameter tuning, data hyper-cleaning, and reinforcement learning, validate the effectiveness and efficiency of the proposed algorithm.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2605_06328
institution arXiv
publishDate 2026
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle FAB: A First-Order AB-based Gradient Algorithm for Distributed Bilevel Optimization over Time-Varying Directed Graphs
Ma, Yaoshuai
Wang, Xiao
Yao, Wei
Zhang, Jin
Optimization and Control
Distributed optimization over time-varying directed graphs has shown promising performance in addressing challenges posed by complex communication constraints in real-world scenarios. In many practical settings, however, the direct application of distributed optimization algorithms encounters additional difficulties, most notably hyperparameter tuning, which our empirical observations suggest can be effectively mitigated by integrating bilevel optimization. Motivated by these findings, we study distributed bilevel optimization over time-varying directed networks, a problem that remains largely unexplored due to the compounded challenges arising from consensus bias in dynamic unbalanced communication and the nested optimization structure. In this work, we propose a fully first-order distributed gradient-based algorithm that integrates the Push-Pull (also known as AB) communication strategy with a value function-based penalty method and establish its non-asymptotic convergence properties. Notably, a simplified variant of our analysis framework for nonconvex single-level distributed optimization establishes a convergence rate for the Push-Pull algorithm, thereby resolving an open question concerning its convergence over time-varying directed graphs. Empirical evaluations across diverse tasks, including hyperparameter tuning, data hyper-cleaning, and reinforcement learning, validate the effectiveness and efficiency of the proposed algorithm.
title FAB: A First-Order AB-based Gradient Algorithm for Distributed Bilevel Optimization over Time-Varying Directed Graphs
topic Optimization and Control
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2605.06328