Aspects relate to a machine learning system implementing an evolutionary boosting machine. The system may initially select randomized feature sets for an initial generation of candidate models. Evolutionary algorithms may be applied to the system to create later generations of the cycle, combining and mutating the feature selections of the candidate models. The system may determine optimal number of boosting iterations for each candidate model in a generation by building boosting iterations from an initial value up to a predetermined maximum number of boosting iterations. When a final generation is achieved, the system may evaluate the optimal model of the generation. If the optimal boosting iterations of the optimal model does not meet solution constraints on the optimal boosting iterations, the system may adjust a learning rate parameter and then proceed to the next cycle. Based on termination criteria, the system may determine a resulting/final optimal mode.