# Optimism in the Face of Uncertainty: the UCB1 Algorithm

DevFeed: [Optimism in the Face of Uncertainty: the UCB1 Algorithm](<https://devfeed.tech/articles/optimism-in-the-face-of-uncertainty-the-ucb1-algorithm-40332.md>)

Original publisher: [Read original article](<https://www.jeremykun.com/2013/10/28/optimism-in-the-face-of-uncertainty-the-ucb1-algorithm/>)

Published: 2013-10-28T11:42:55Z

Content type: tutorial

Language: en

Sources: [Jeremy Kun](<https://devfeed.tech/sources/jeremy-kun.md>)

Topics: [Algorithm](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/algorithm.md>), [Mathematics](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/mathematics.md>), [Data Science](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/data-science.md>)

Tags: [algorithm](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/algorithm.md>), [bandit-learning](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/bandit-learning.md>), [bandits](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/bandits.md>), [big-o-notation](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/big-o-notation.md>), [calculus](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/calculus.md>), [confidence-bounds](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/confidence-bounds.md>), [exploitation](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/exploitation.md>), [exploration](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/exploration.md>), [machine-learning](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/machine-learning.md>), [mathematics](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/mathematics.md>), [programming](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/programming.md>), [python](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/python.md>), [random-variables](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/random-variables.md>), [randomized-algorithm](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/randomized-algorithm.md>), [science](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/science.md>)

## AI overview

This tutorial introduces the multi-armed bandit problem as a model of the exploration-exploitation tradeoff and presents the UCB1 algorithm, which the article describes as performing close to optimally.

## Source excerpt

startups The software world is always atwitter with predictions on the next big piece of technology. And a lot of chatter focuses on what venture capitalists express interest in. As an investor, how do you pick a good company to invest in? Do you notice quirky names like "Kaggle" and "Meebo," require deep technical abilities, or value a charismatic sales pitch? When it comes to innovation in software engineering and computer science, and that as a society we should value big pushes forward much more than we do.