aiqbench analysis
This research addresses the critical challenge of efficiently evaluating Large Language Model configurations under strict budget constraints and varying costs. By formulating the problem as a cost-aware multi-objective bandit, it introduces algorithms for online selection and Pareto identification that maintain theoretical guarantees even when evaluation expenses differ across models. The work provides essential mathematical foundations for optimizing AI development workflows where computational resources are finite and competing performance metrics must be balanced simultaneously.
Cost-Aware Multi-Objective Bandits: Theory and Application to Budgeted LLM Configuration Evaluation
arXiv:2608.04333v1 Announce Type: new Abstract: Large language model (LLM) configuration evaluation is challenging due to limited evaluation budgets, varying costs, and multiple competing objectives. In this paper, we formulate LLM configuration evaluation as a cost-aware multi-objective bandit problem, where each configuration evaluation incurs a configuration-dependent cost and yields a noisy vector-valued outcome. Under this framework, we study two fundamental problems: online configuration selection and Pareto configuration identification. For online configuration selection, we propose a hypervolume-based UCB algorithm that optimizes an optimistic hypervolume-per-cost index. We establish a budgeted regret bound of order $O\bigl(\sum_{i\ne i^\star}\frac{\log B}{\Delta_i}\bigr)$, where $B$ is the evaluation budget, $i^\star$ is the optimal configuration in terms of hypervolume efficiency, and $\Delta_i$ is the corresponding efficiency gap of configuration $i$. This bound retains the logarithmic budget dependence of classical single-objective budgeted bandits. For fixed-budget Pareto identification, we develop a cost-aware empirical gap elimination algorithm and prove that its error probability is of order $O\bigl(\exp(-\frac{B}{H_{\mu,c}})\bigr)$, where $H_{\mu,c}$ is a cost-aware Pareto identification complexity depending on configuration costs and Pareto classification gaps. This error probability decays exponentially with the evaluation budget and recovers the standard Pareto set identification guarantee when all configuration costs are identical. Experiments on LLM configuration evaluation tasks demonstrate that the proposed framework enables efficient online decision-making and accurate cost-aware Pareto identification under limited budgets.
Abstract:Large language model (LLM) configuration evaluation is challenging due to limited evaluation budgets, varying costs, and multiple competing objectives. In this paper, we formulate LLM configuration evaluation as a cost-aware multi-objective bandit problem, where each configuration evaluation incurs a configuration-dependent cost and yields a noisy vector-valued outcome. Under this framework, we study two fundamental problems: online configuration selection and Pareto configuration identification. For online configuration selection, we propose a hypervolume-based UCB algorithm that optimizes an optimistic hypervolume-per-cost index. We establish a budgeted regret bound of order $O\bigl(\sum_{i\ne i^\star}\frac{\log B}{\Delta_i}\bigr)$, where $B$ is the evaluation budget, $i^\star$ is the optimal configuration in terms of hypervolume efficiency, and $\Delta_i$ is the corresponding efficiency gap of configuration $i$. This bound retains the logarithmic budget dependence of classical single-objective budgeted bandits. For fixed-budget Pareto identification, we develop a cost-aware empirical gap elimination algorithm and prove that its error probability is of order $O\bigl(\exp(-\frac{B}{H_{\mu,c}})\bigr)$, where $H_{\mu,c}$ is a cost-aware Pareto identification complexity depending on configuration costs and Pareto classification gaps. This error probability decays exponentially with the evaluation budget and recovers the standard Pareto set identification guarantee when all configuration costs are identical. Experiments on LLM configuration evaluation tasks demonstrate that the proposed framework enables efficient online decision-making and accurate cost-aware Pareto identification under limited budgets.
Machine Learning (cs.LG)
arXiv:2608.04333 [cs.LG]
(or arXiv:2608.04333v1 [cs.LG] for this version)
https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2608.04333 Focus to learn more arXiv-issued DOI via DataCite (pending registration)
arXivLabs is a framework that allows collaborators to develop and share new arXiv features directly on our website.
Both individuals and organizations that work with arXivLabs have embraced and accepted our values of openness, community, excellence, and user data privacy. arXiv is committed to these values and only works with partners that adhere to them.
Have an idea for a project that will add value for arXiv's community? Learn more about arXivLabs.
Full text under the publisher's open licence · 305 words
