Refining Decision Boundaries via Stepwise Reinforcement Learning from Human Feedback Integrating Intermediate Logic Verification and Large Language Model Reasoning

Authors

  • William Whitaker Department of Systems Engineering, Villanova University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.66280/ijair.v1i2.152

Keywords:

Reinforcement Learning from Human Feedback, Stepwise Reasoning, Logic Verification, Socio-Technical Systems, Decision Boundaries, Large Language Models.

Abstract

The evolution of generative artificial intelligence has transitioned from simple sequence prediction to complex multi-step reasoning, necessitating more granular control mechanisms over model behavior. While Reinforcement Learning from Human Feedback has historically optimized models based on holistic outcome-based rewards, this approach often fails to address the "black box" nature of intermediate logic, leading to correct answers derived from flawed reasoning. This paper proposes a system-level framework for refining decision boundaries through Stepwise Reinforcement Learning from Human Feedback. By integrating intermediate logic verification with large language model reasoning, the proposed architecture shifts the evaluative focus from terminal states to incremental transitions. We analyze the structural trade-offs between computational overhead and logical fidelity, emphasizing the necessity of verifiable reasoning traces in high-stakes socio-technical infrastructures. Our discussion extends to the governance and policy implications of such systems, exploring how stepwise verification enhances robustness, fairness, and accountability. The research demonstrates that by decomposing complex tasks into verifiable logical units, organizations can mitigate the risks of hallucination and reward hacking while ensuring that AI systems remain aligned with human-centric ethical standards and operational constraints.

 

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Published

2026-05-13

How to Cite

William Whitaker. (2026). Refining Decision Boundaries via Stepwise Reinforcement Learning from Human Feedback Integrating Intermediate Logic Verification and Large Language Model Reasoning. International Journal of Artificial Intelligence Research, 1(2). https://doi.org/10.66280/ijair.v1i2.152