Opening the Black Box: Automated Software Analysis for Algorithm Selection

Damir Pulatov, Marie Anastacio, Lars Kotthoff, Holger H. Hoos

Abstract: Impressive performance improvements have been achieved in many areas of AI by meta-algorithmic techniques, such as automated algorithm selection and configuration. However, existing techniques treat the target algorithms they are applied to as black boxes – nothing is known about their inner workings. This allows meta-algorithmic techniques to be used broadly, but leaves untapped potential performance improvements enabled by information gained from a deeper analysis of the target algorithms. In this paper, we open the black box without sacrificing universal applicability of meta-algorithmic techniques by automatically analyzing algorithms. We show how to use this information to perform algorithm selection, and demonstrate improved performance compared to previous approaches that treat algorithms as black boxes.