This paper provides an introduction to Reinforcement Learning (RL) technology,
summarizes recent developments in this area, and discusses their potential implications for
the field of process control, and more generally, of operational decision-making. The paper
begins with an introduction to RL that allows an agent to learn, through trial and error, the
best way to accomplish a task. We then highlight new developments in RL that have led to
the recent wave of applications and media interest. A comparison of the key features of RL …

This paper provides a brief introduction to Reinforcement Learning (RL) technology,
summarizes recent developments in this area, and discusses their potential implications for
the field of process control. The paper begins with a brief introduction to RL, a machine
learning technology that allows an agent to learn, through trial and error, the best way to
accomplish a task. We then highlight two new developments in RL that have led to the
recent wave of applications and media interest. A comparison of the key features of RL and …