Background
The field of learning augmented algorithms is a rapidly developing area at the interface of algorithm design, optimization and machine learning. Traditional algorithmic frameworks typically assume worst-case inputs and evaluate performance under stringent worst-case guarantees. However, in many real-world applications, additional information—often derived from machine-learned predictions—can be leveraged to improve the performance of the algorithms. The challenge lies in designing algorithms that seamlessly integrate such predictions while maintaining mathematical rigor: ensuring comparable worst-case guarantees while achieving near-optimal performance in instances where the predictions are accurate. Striking a balance between consistency and robustness (as it has been termed) has led to fundamental advances in online computation, approximation algorithms and mechanism design. As a result, learning augmented algorithms has emerged as a thriving and influential new direction in modern theoretical computer science.
About the Workshop
This four-day workshop will bring together leading researchers of the field to discuss recent advancements, explore key challenges, and foster new collaborations.
The workshop will explore a wide range of topics within learning augmented algorithms, ranging from online algorithms to mechanism design and beyond. The programme will feature four keynote lectures, contributed and lightning talks, and provide ample time for open problem sessions and research discussions.
A key focus of the workshop will be on collaborative problem-solving: during the workshop, a selection of main open problems will be identified, and participants are encouraged to engage in active problem-solving sessions to make progress on these problems each day.
By bringing together a distinguished group of approximately 60 invited researchers, this workshop aims to shape the future of learning augmented algorithms by addressing foundational challenges, encouraging interdisciplinary discussions, and building lasting research collaborations. The event is designed to be highly interactive, ensuring ample time for open problem sessions and informal discussions that can spark new ideas and approaches.
This workshop is co-organized by NETWORKS and supported by NGB, the Dutch OR Society.
Tentative Programme
We are delighted that the following four speakers accepted our invitation to give keynote lectures at the workshop:
- Eric Balkanski (Columbia University, USA)
- Marek Eliáš (Bocconi University, Italy)
- Nicole Megow (University of Bremen, Germany)
- Sergei Vassilvitskii (Google Research, USA)
