Optimization Over Trained Neural Networks: Taking a Relaxing Walk
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Abstract (arXiv)
Besides training, mathematical optimization is also used in deep learning to model and solve formulations over trained neural networks for purposes such as verification, compression, and optimization with learned constraints. However, solving these formulations soon becomes difficult as the network size grows due to the weak linear relaxation and dense constraint matrix. We have seen improvements in recent years with cutting plane algorithms, reformulations, and an heuristic based on Mixed-Integer Linear Programming (MILP). In this work, we propose a more scalable heuristic based on exploring global and local linear relaxations of the neural network model. Our heuristic is competitive with a state-of-the-art MILP solver and the prior heuristic while producing better solutions with increases in input, depth, and number of neurons.
Key facts. Cited by 10 papers in the map (data through 7 Oct 2026). Builds on 52 of its 87 references that are in the map. First posted on arXiv 7 Jan 2024.
Builds on
52 of 87 references.
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38 more
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50 most cited of 52 All 52 (JSON)
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Citing papers per year: 2024: 3; 2025: 3; 2026: 4.
10 papers.
- 2024Multi-task Representation Learning for Mixed Integer Linear Programmingcited by 6
- 2024Balans: Multi-Armed Bandits-based Adaptive Large Neighborhood Search for Mixed-Integer Programming Problemcited by 4
- 2025ParBalans: Parallel Multi-Armed Bandits-based Adaptive Large Neighborhood Searchcited by 1
- 2025ID-PaS+ : Identity-Aware Predict-and-Search for General Mixed-Integer Linear Programscited by 1
- 2026Relaxation-Informed Training of Neural Network Surrogate Modelscited by 1
- 2024Tightening convex relaxations of trained neural networks: a unified approach for convex and S-shaped activationscited by 0
- 2025Optimization over Trained (and Sparse) Neural Networks: A Surrogate within a Surrogatecited by 0
- 2026E-Globe: Scalable ε-Global Verification of Neural Networks via Tight Upper Bounds and Pattern-Aware Branchingcited by 0
- 2026Deep Learning for Sequential Decision Making under Uncertainty: Foundations, Frameworks, and Frontierscited by 0
- 2026Input convex neural networks as surrogates in mathematical optimisationcited by 0
- 2026Input convex neural networks as surrogates in mathematical optimisation10 Aug 2026
- 2026Relaxation-Informed Training of Neural Network Surrogate Models24 Apr 2026
- 2026Deep Learning for Sequential Decision Making under Uncertainty: Foundations, Frameworks, and Frontiers13 Apr 2026
- 2026E-Globe: Scalable ε-Global Verification of Neural Networks via Tight Upper Bounds and Pattern-Aware Branching4 Feb 2026
- 2025ID-PaS+ : Identity-Aware Predict-and-Search for General Mixed-Integer Linear Programs11 Dec 2025
- 2025ParBalans: Parallel Multi-Armed Bandits-based Adaptive Large Neighborhood Search8 Aug 2025
- 2025Optimization over Trained (and Sparse) Neural Networks: A Surrogate within a Surrogate4 May 2025
- 2024Multi-task Representation Learning for Mixed Integer Linear Programming18 Dec 2024
- 2024Balans: Multi-Armed Bandits-based Adaptive Large Neighborhood Search for Mixed-Integer Programming Problem18 Dec 2024
- 2024Tightening convex relaxations of trained neural networks: a unified approach for convex and S-shaped activations30 Oct 2024