Supervisor

Suitable for

Abstract

This project is already taken for 2017-2018

 

Psychology has inspired and informed a number of machine learning methods. Decisions within an algorithm can be made so as to improve an overall aim of maximising a (cumulative) reward. Supervised learning methods in this class are known as Reinforcement Learning. A basic reinforcement learning model consists of establishing a number of environment states, a set of valid actions, and rules for transitioning between states. Applying this model to the rules of a board game means that the machine can be made to learn how to play a simple board game by playing a large number of games against itself. The goal of this project is to set up a reinforcement learning environment for a simple board game with a discrete set of states (such as Backgammon). If time permits, this will be extended to a simple geometric game (such as Pong) where the states may have to be parameterised in terms of geometric actions to be taken at each stage in the game.