Foresight: A Game-Theory Hybrid Algorithm with Reinforcement-Learning for Predictive Analytics
Guest Speaker: Dr. Shahram Rahimi, Gloria & Douglas Marchant Endowed Chair, Professor and Head of the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at Mississippi State University
Moderated by Dr. Reza Rawassizadeh, Associate Professor of Computer Science, Boston University Metropolitan College
September 29, 2023
Abstract: An innovative and forward-looking hybrid predictive analytics algorithm will be presented. Unlike traditional machine learning-based technologies, Foresight leverages the current dynamics rather than relying solely on historical data analysis to make accurate predictions. This algorithm incorporates game theory, expected utility and median vector theories, and reinforcement learning. One of the key differentiators of Foresight is its incorporation of reinforcement learning, which enables the modeling of players’ reasoning abilities in assessing risks. This mechanism enhances the algorithm’s predictive capabilities, particularly when applied to complex problems involving multiple stakeholders with conflicting interests in economic, business, or political issues. By accounting for these complexities, Foresight becomes a valuable tool in predicting outcomes and informing decision-making processes. To demonstrate the effectiveness of this algorithm, we will illustrate several compelling case studies, showcasing its accuracy and performance in real-world scenarios. These case studies will highlight the algorithm’s ability to anticipate outcomes in compound problems, displaying its reliability and practicality.
Speaker Bio: Dr. Shahram Rahimi holds the Gloria & Douglas Marchant Endowed Chair and serves as Professor and Head of the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at Mississippi State University. Before his current position, Dr. Rahimi led the Department of Computer Science at Southern Illinois University for five years. Dr. Rahimi is a recognized leader in artificial and computational intelligence with over 250 peer-reviewed articles and a few patents or pending patents in this area. His commitment to advancing the field extends beyond academia. Dr. Rahimi actively contributes to the IEEE New Standards Committee in Computational Intelligence and provides invaluable advice to the staff and administration at the state department on predictive analytics for foreign policy. In 2016, Dr. Rahimi was honored with the prestigious Illinois Rising Star award from ISBA. His groundbreaking intelligent algorithm for patient flow optimization and hospital staffing has been implemented in over 1000 emergency departments nationwide. Notably, it was named one of the top 10 AI technologies for healthcare in 2018 by HealthTech magazine. Throughout his career, Dr. Rahimi has secured more than $40 million in research funding as Principal Investigator (PI) or Co-PI from federal agencies and industry sources. His entrepreneurial spirit led him to co-found Potentia Analytics Inc. in 2013, a company dedicated to applying AI to Healthcare Management. Potentia Analytics has made substantial strides in the field, providing cutting-edge technology to over 20% of hospitals in the United States and globally. In addition, Dr. Rahimi has organized 15 international conferences or workshops focusing on computational intelligence and multi-agent systems in past two decades.