Data Science and AI for Real-world Optimization Problems: An

Interdisciplinary Approach
Abstract:
Optimization problems are ubiquitous in various domains, including finance, logistics, engineering, and
healthcare, among others. Traditional optimization methods have limitations in solving complex
optimization problems. Therefore, there is a growing need to use machine learning and artificial
intelligence (AI) techniques to design new algorithms that can handle real-world optimization problems
better. This thesis investigates the application of data science and AI to address real-world optimization
problems. The primary objective of this thesis is to design new optimization algorithms using machine
learning and AI techniques. Specifically, we aim to develop algorithms that can automatically learn from
data and design new optimization algorithms that perform better than traditional approaches. We adopt a
multidisciplinary approach that combines techniques from AI, Data Science, and Operational Research to
achieve these objectives. We propose the use of meta-learning techniques to enable the algorithm to adapt
to new optimization problems. Furthermore, we leverage the industry experience and expertise of our
partner, BT, to identify real-world optimization problems that we can work on. We collaborate with BT's
data scientists and engineers to validate and test the proposed algorithms on real-world data sets. The
thesis contributes to the understanding of the application of data science and AI in optimization. We
provide a set of best practices for designing and implementing optimization algorithms using machine
learning and AI. Furthermore, we develop new optimization algorithms that can handle real-world
optimization problems better than traditional approaches. The thesis concludes that data science and AI
can provide a better approach to solving complex optimization problems. Furthermore, working with
industry partners can enable us to access real-world data sets and validate the effectiveness of our
algorithms. The interdisciplinary approach adopted in this thesis can contribute to both academic research
and industrial practice.