Learning-Augmented Algorithms: Guarantees, Construction Mechanisms, and System-Level Implications

Abstract: Learning-augmented algorithms use fallible predictions while retaining formal performance guarantees. This survey synthesizes prediction interfaces, error measures, consistency--robustness trade-offs, and five representative construction mechanisms across online optimization, caching, learned data structures, graph problems, and mechanism design. An orthogonal theorem-level axis distinguishes achieved upper bounds from matched asymptotic dependence. Formal guarantees are separated from empirical systems evidence, with explicit treatment of prediction cost, feedback, and composition. The resulting synthesis states sufficient conditions for limited end-to-end reasoning and delineates open problems in cost-aware prediction, endogenous error, semantic predictors, and benchmarking.