Alpha-Evolve

Reference (read if you need the algorithm's details): AlphaEvolve — https://arxiv.org/abs/2506.13131 · OpenEvolve (open-source impl) — https://github.com/algorithmicsuperintelligence/openevolve

A population-based evolutionary loop over a program. The artifact is the editable model code; a child is one analysis-informed SEARCH/REPLACE diff to a parent, and the feedback signal is a cascade-evaluated training run (<metric>, smoke→full). Children are placed in a MAP-Elites archive across islands (complexity × diversity axes), so a child survives by being either better or more novel, not just better. The discipline this enforces: diversity is preserved, not collapsed — diverse high performers co-exist instead of one local optimum winning. You are the controller: sample a parent + inspirations, spawn parallel Mutators to propose and evaluate children, place them, migrate between islands, checkpoint. Loops to a fixed compute budget or until interrupted.

When to use