Distributed Gradient Tracking Methods with Guarantees for Computing a Solution to Stochastic MPECs

Abstract

We consider a class of hierarchical multi-agent optimization problems over networks where agents seek to compute an approximate solution to a single-stage stochastic mathematical program with equilibrium constraints (MPEC). MPECs subsume several important problem classes including Stackelberg games, bilevel programs, and traffic equilibrium problems, to name a few. Our goal in this work is to provably resolve stochastic MPECs in distributed regimes where the agents only have access to their local objectives and an inexact best-response to the lower-level equilibrium problem. To this end, we devise a new method called randomized smoothed distributed zeroth-order gradient tracking (rs-DZGT). This is a novel gradient tracking scheme where agents employ a zeroth-order implicit scheme to approximate their (unavailable) local gradients. Leveraging the properties of a randomized smoothing technique, we establish the convergence of the method and derive complexity guarantees for computing a stationary point of an optimization problem with a smoothed implicit global objective. We also provide preliminary numerical experiments where we compare the performance of rs-DZGT on networks under different settings with that of its centralized counterpart.