Back to Search Start Over

Beyond Value: CHECKLIST for Testing Inferences in Planning-Based RL

Authors :
Lam, Kin-Ho
Tabatabai, Delyar
Irvine, Jed
Bertucci, Donald
Ruangrotsakun, Anita
Kahng, Minsuk
Fern, Alan
Publication Year :
2022

Abstract

Reinforcement learning (RL) agents are commonly evaluated via their expected value over a distribution of test scenarios. Unfortunately, this evaluation approach provides limited evidence for post-deployment generalization beyond the test distribution. In this paper, we address this limitation by extending the recent CheckList testing methodology from natural language processing to planning-based RL. Specifically, we consider testing RL agents that make decisions via online tree search using a learned transition model and value function. The key idea is to improve the assessment of future performance via a CheckList approach for exploring and assessing the agent's inferences during tree search. The approach provides the user with an interface and general query-rule mechanism for identifying potential inference flaws and validating expected inference invariances. We present a user study involving knowledgeable AI researchers using the approach to evaluate an agent trained to play a complex real-time strategy game. The results show the approach is effective in allowing users to identify previously-unknown flaws in the agent's reasoning. In addition, our analysis provides insight into how AI experts use this type of testing approach, which may help improve future instantiations.<br />Comment: This work will appear in the Proceedings of the 32nd International Conference on Automated Planning and Scheduling (ICAPS2022) https://icaps22.icaps-conference.org/papers

Details

Database :
arXiv
Publication Type :
Report
Accession number :
edsarx.2206.02039
Document Type :
Working Paper