Program Overview

Program Description

The MATH 76.03: Evolutionary Dynamics course focuses on the emerging interdisciplinary field of game theory and artificial intelligence, providing students with a comprehensive understanding of strategic decision-making, learning dynamics, and cooperative behaviors in AI systems. Through a combination of lectures, discussions, and hands-on projects, the class introduces the fundamental concepts and applications of evolutionary games, repeated games, stochastic games, and multiagent learning systems. The course also covers the ethical implications and alignment mechanisms required to ensure AI systems serve humanity.

Prerequisites

• Math 22
• Math 23
  • The student should be familiar with calculus, and basic concepts in ordinary differential equations and probability.
  • Programming skills are highly recommended, but not required.

Grading Formula

• Class Participation (10%)
• Four homework problem sets (40%)
• Final projects (40%) on topics of your choice
• Lightning talk based on this project (10%)
• The final project requires a significant component of using quantitative methods (including not limited to game theory models, statistical analyses, or simulations) as well as a final report (~8 pages, single-spaced with font size 12 point) written in the format of a scientific paper.

Important Dates

• Final project proposal due on: 2 October 2023
• Homework problem sets due biweekly
• Final project presentations: in the week of 6 November 2023
• Final project report due on: 15 November 2023
• Course withdrawal deadlines:
  • 23 October 2023: Final day for dropping a 4th course
  • 31 October 2023: Final day to withdraw from a course

Syllabus

The tentative lecture plan may be subject to further changes.

• Week 1: Introduction & Overview; Introduction to Evolutionary Games and Learning Dynamics
• Week 2: Repeated Games and Machine Learning Based Strategies
• Week 3: Stochastic Games and Reinforcement Learning
• Week 4: Understanding AI Behavior and Moral Characters Through Evolutionary Game Theory
• Week 5: Cooperative AI Systems: Finding Common Ground and Cooperative Social Norms
• Week 6: Multiagent Learning Systems: Seeking Consensus and Convergence and Red Queen Dynamics
• Week 7: Learning and Evolving Populations: Multiscale and Multilayer Network Dynamics
• Week 8: Alignment Mechanisms: Serving All Humanity
• Week 9: Final Projects Presentations

Course Projects and Presentation Schedule

Approximately 5 weeks are given to complete the project. The instructor will suggest project ideas in the third week, but you are allowed to propose your own, which has to be approved by the instructor in the fourth week at the latest. Each project presentation is limited to 15 minutes and preferably in the style of TED talks.

Course Policies

Class Recording Notifications to Students

• Consent to recording of course meetings and office hours that are open to multiple students.
• Requirement of consent to one-on-one recordings.

Honor Principle

Collaborations during closed-book exams and quizzes are strictly prohibited. Any form of plagiarism is not allowed in the final project.

Student Accessibility and Accommodations

Students requesting disability-related accommodations and services for this course are encouraged to schedule a meeting with the instructor as early in the term as possible.

Student Religious Observances

Some students may wish to take part in religious observances that occur during this academic term. If you have a religious observance that conflicts with your participation in the course, please meet with the instructor before the end of the second week of the term to discuss appropriate accommodations.

Mental Health and Wellness

The academic environment at Dartmouth is challenging, and classes are not the only demanding part of your life. There are a number of resources available to you on campus to support your wellness.

Late Policy

Please request appropriate accommodations if you expect delays in turning in your assignments. Otherwise, by "deadline" we really mean it. On the condition of accepting the penalty for turning in the final project report late, however, an extension of maximum 4 days will be granted on a case-by-case basis. In exceptional circumstances, students with disabilities should inform the instructor of their accommodation requests well in advance.