Bayesian transfer for offline Q-learning with multi-task Gaussian processes

Wenxing Guo

Offline reinforcement learning can benefit from data collected in related tasks, yet indiscriminate knowledge transfer may lead to negative transfer under task mismatch and limited target-data coverage. We propose a target-aware Bayesian transfer framework for offline Q-learning based on multi-task Gaussian processes that jointly model task-specific Q-functions. Source tasks are assessed using target predictive evidence and maximum mean discrepancy (MMD), while posterior uncertainty and behavior-supported action sets guide conservative Bellman updates and policy extraction. To account for the dependence induced by Bellman bootstrapping, we distinguish Bellman innovations from bootstrap errors and establish stability and predictive source-selection results under explicit regularity conditions. We further derive selection-adaptive posterior contraction and offline policy-performance bounds, identifying the structural conditions under which source information can be pooled to achieve minimax-optimal rates in a shared-function Gaussian sequence experiment. Simulation studies with heterogeneous source tasks demonstrate improved target Q-function estimation and reduced material…