用强化学习训练能真实互动的智能体,关键在奖励设计和用户模拟。
UserRL: Training Interactive User-Centric Agent via Reinforcement Learning
- 构建标准化环境与模拟用户,系统测试不同奖励策略对交互能力的影响。
- 监督微调是启动交互能力的关键,轨迹评分提升多轮对话效率。
- 开源模拟器效果接近顶级模型,适合低成本高效训练。
强化学习在训练能进行动态多轮交互的智能体方面展现出潜力,但其真正价值在于服务用户,而用户行为的多样性和动态性带来了挑战。本文提出UserRL,一个通过标准Gym环境与模拟用户训练评估以用户为中心能力的统一框架。我们系统地调整回合级奖励分配和轨迹级得分计算,分析不同设定在GRPO算法下的学习效果。在Qwen3模型上的实验揭示三个关键发现:(i) 监督微调(SFT)冷启动对激活初始交互能力并实现持续强化学习改进至关重要;(ii) 有意设计的轨迹评分可带来更高效、有效的多轮交互;(iii) 更强的模拟用户(如GPT-4o)虽有助于训练,但开源模拟器(如Qwen3-32B)仍是成本低且可迁移的可行选择。这些结果表明,奖励塑造与用户模拟的选择与模型规模同样关键,确立了UserRL作为发展稳健用户中心型智能体的实用路径。所有代码与数据均公开,供后续研究使用。
原文摘要 · Abstract (English)
Reinforcement learning (RL) has shown promise in training agentic models that move beyond static benchmarks to engage in dynamic, multi-turn interactions. Yet, the ultimate value of such agents lies in their ability to assist users, a setting where diversity and dynamics of user interaction pose challenges. In this work, we propose UserRL, a unified framework for training and evaluating user-centric abilities through standardized gym environments paired with simulated users. We systematically vary turn-level reward assignment and trajectory-level score calculation to analyze how different formulations affect learning under the GRPO algorithm. Our experiments across Qwen3 models reveal three key findings: (i) SFT cold start is critical for unlocking initial interaction ability and enabling sustained RL improvements; (ii) deliberate trajectory scoring yields more efficient and effective multi-turn interactions; and (iii) while stronger simulated users (e.g., GPT-4o) facilitates training, open-source simulators (e.g., Qwen3-32B) remain a cost-effective and transferable option. Together, these results highlight that careful design of reward shaping and user simulation choice is as crucial as model scale, and establish UserRL as a practical pathway for developing robust user-centric agentic models. All codes and data are public for future research.
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