In some embodiments, there may be provided a method that includes receiving a first traffic matrix; receiving information regarding links associated with each segment of the network; determining a total amount of segment flow using the at least one non-linear deflection parameter applied to the traffic demand of the first traffic matrix; determining a link flow for each of the links using the total amount of segment flow and the second input to the machine learning model; determining link utilization for each of the links using the link flows and a capacity for each of the links; learning, by the machine learning model using a gradient descent, a minimum of a maximum amount of the link utilization over the links by at least adjusting a value of the at least one non-linear deflection parameter. Related systems, methods, and articles of manufacture are also disclosed.