2heuristiikka

2heuristiikka, or two-heuristics, is a framework used in artificial intelligence, operations research, and decision science that combines two complementary heuristic strategies to guide search and problem solving. The aim is to balance speed and accuracy by leveraging the strengths of each heuristic in different phases of an algorithm or decision process.

The core idea is to pair a fast, general-purpose heuristic with a slower, more domain-specific heuristic. The fast heuristic rapidly narrows the search space or provides early guidance, while the slower heuristic refines promising candidates to improve solution quality. Implementations may be sequential, where the fast heuristic filters options before the slow one evaluates them, or parallel, where both heuristics run concurrently and their outputs are reconciled through a meta-decision rule.

Common mechanisms include tiered evaluation, where a preliminary estimate from the fast heuristic determines whether further processing is warranted, and a consistency check, where the slower heuristic validates or adjusts the fast heuristic’s recommendations. Coordination strategies must manage potential conflicts, balance overhead, and ensure stability of decision outcomes.

Applications of 2heuristiikka appear in AI planning, game AI, logistics and scheduling, robotics, and information retrieval, particularly in settings with large or uncertain search spaces. The approach is valued for potentially faster responses without sacrificing result quality, though it requires careful design to ensure the two heuristics complement rather than interfere with each other.

Etymology and usage tend to be rooted in Finnish studies of heuristic methods, with broader adoption in international discussions of dual-process and multi-heuristic strategies. See also: heuristic, dual-process theory, multi-heuristic search, A* search.