A Framework For Differentiable Discovery Of Graph Algorithms

Hanjun Dai, Xinshi Chen, Yu Li, Xin Gao, Le Song

Keywords: graph neural networks, combinatorial optimization, differentiable search, model explanation

TL;DR: we propose to augment GNN using cheap global information from tree decomposition of the graphs, and can explain the structures of the graph leading to the decision of learned algorithms

Abstract: Recently there is a surge of interests in using graph neural networks (GNNs) to learn algorithms. However, these works focus more on imitating existing algorithms, and are limited in two important aspects: the search space for algorithms is too small and the learned GNN models are not interpretable. To address these issues, we propose a novel framework which enlarge the search space using cheap global information from tree decomposition of the graphs, and can explain the structures of the graph leading to the decision of learned algorithms. We apply our framework to three NP-complete problems on graphs and show that the framework is able to discover effective and explainable algorithms.