An Economy of Neural Networks:Learning from Heterogeneous Experiences

Artem Kuriksha
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Artem Kuriksha: University of Pennsylvania

PIER Working Paper Archive from Penn Institute for Economic Research, Department of Economics, University of Pennsylvania

Abstract: This paper proposes a new way to model behavioral agents in dynamic macro-?nancial environments. Agents are described as neural networks and learn policies from id-iosyncratic past experiences. I investigate the feedback between irrationality and past outcomes in an economy with heterogeneous shocks similar to Aiyagari (1994). In the model, the rational expectations assumption is seriously violated because learning of a decision rule for savings is unstable. Agents who fall into learning traps save either excessively or save nothing, which provides a candidate explanation for several empir-ical puzzles about wealth distribution. Neural network agents have a higher average MPC and exhibit excess sensitivity of consumption. Learning can negatively a?ect intergenerational mobility.

Keywords: heterogeneous experiences; rational expectations; bounded rationality; policy learning; arti?cial intelligence (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 49 pages
Date: 2021-11-19
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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