One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that optimizes support vector machine (SVM) kernel parameters. During operation, the system assigns sets of kernel parameter values to each node in a multiprocessor system. Next, the system performs a cross-validation operation at each node in the multiprocessor system based on a data set. This cross-validation operation computes an error cost value reflecting the number of misclassifications that arise while classifying the data set using the assigned set of kernel parameter values. The system then communicates the computed error cost values between nodes in the multiprocessor system, and eliminates nodes with relatively high error cost values. Next, the system performs a cross-over operation in which kernel parameter values are exchanged between remaining nodes to produce new sets of kernel parameter values. This process is repeated until a global winning set of kernel parameter values emerges.