Description: Overestimation bias is a phenomenon that occurs in reinforcement learning, where the estimated value of an action is systematically higher than its true value. This bias can arise from the way value estimates are updated based on the rewards received. In the context of reinforcement learning, agents learn to make decisions based on feedback from the environment, and if these estimates are overestimated, they can lead to suboptimal decisions. This bias can be particularly problematic in complex environments where rewards are sparse or noisy, as it may cause the agent to persist in actions that are not truly beneficial. Overestimation can result from an optimization approach that favors the exploration of actions that seem promising but do not actually deliver the expected performance. Therefore, it is crucial for the design of reinforcement learning algorithms to take this bias into account, implementing techniques that help mitigate its effects and improve the accuracy of value estimates.
