Meta-heuristic techniques are extensively utilized by various researchers to optimize computationally complex problems. Recently, many researchers have utilized these techniques to optimize the hyper-parameters required by various computational techniques.

However, selecting a suitable meta-heuristic technique for a given problem can be defined as an ill-posed problem. In addition, meta-heuristic techniques suffer from various issues such as poor convergence speed, stuck in local optima, pre-mature convergence, etc., Therefore, designing the optimal meta-heuristic technique is still a challenging issue.

The focus of this Special Issue is on the development of meta-heuristic techniques for solving complex engineering problems. Articles submitted to this Special Issue can also be concerned with the most significant recent soft computing, optimization techniques, hybrid intelligent systems, and their applications in engineering sciences. We invite researchers to contribute original research articles as well as review articles that will stimulate the continuing research effort on the applications of meta-heuristic techniques to assess and solve engineering problems.

Potential topics include but are not limited to the following:

• Meta-heuristic techniques
• Deep learning
• Meta-heuristic based machine learning techniques
• Meta-heuristic based encryption techniques
• Meta-heuristic based digital image processing techniques
• Evolutionary multimodal optimization
• Role of meta-heuristic techniques in information security