Fast Learning for Problem Classes Using Knowledge Based Network Initialization

The success of learning as well as the learning speed of an artificial neural network (ANN) strongly depends on the initial weights. If problem or domain specific knowledge exists, it can be transferred to the ANN by means of a special choice of the initial weights. In this paper, we focus on the choice of a set of initial weights, well suited to fast and robust learning of all particular problems out of a class of related problems. Our evolutionary approach particularly takes the learning algorithm into consideration in the design of the initial weights. The superior properties of the initial weights resulting from this algorithm are corroborated using a class defined by solving a differential equation with variable boundary conditions.