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The Output-Space Hypothesis:Enumerative Equivalence Checking for Tensor Programs

A September 17, 2026 arXiv paper proposes the Output-Space Hypothesis, an enumerative equivalence-checking approach implemented in a system called Dirigo that flips the standard quantifier order to check a single output tensor location across all inputs via symbolic execution. Tested on a public dataset of 6,988 AI-written CUDA kernels all marked correct by differential testing, Dirigo identified 600 kernels that are actually buggy, finding 97.3% of those bugs within two minutes. The result matters because differential testing on random tensor inputs can miss subtle optimization bugs that require extremely low-likelihood input relationships.

read2 min views1 publishedOct 5, 2026
The Output-Space Hypothesis:Enumerative Equivalence Checking for Tensor Programs
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  [Submitted on 17 Sep 2026]


[View PDF](https://arxiv.org/pdf/2609.19611)

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Abstract:Tensor programs, as used in deep learning models, are a prime target for optimization, as small performance improvements can have a large impact across training or inference workloads. However, such optimizations are complicated and can produce subtle bugs. Traditionally, correctness is assumed when differential testing against a reference on random inputs fails to reveal bugs. However, the inputs to these programs are massive tensors, and finding bugs can require generating extremely low likelihood inputs with precise relationships among their values.

We propose a novel way to find bugs more consistently by flipping the quantifiers. Rather than generating a single input and checking all output tensor locations for equivalence, what if you could check a single output tensor location's equivalence for all inputs? We implement this idea in a system, \dirigo, by using a novel symbolic execution strategy. We demonstrate that \dirigo can find bugs effectively in a public dataset of 6,988 AI-written CUDA kernels that are all marked correct by differential testing. Of these, \dirigo finds 600 kernels that are actually buggy, and finds 97.3% of those bugs within two minutes.

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