Piercing Opacity in Complex Machine Learning Applications

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Solution Overview

Problem

Complex machine learning applications often exhibit 'black box' effects, making it difficult to interpret and understand the relationships between inputs and outputs, especially with large datasets, which hinders the deployment of technical improvements and traceability in machine learning systems.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising a replicator module for local and global effect modeling, a translator module for generating explanatory mappings, and a graphical user interface to render selected characteristics of the data structure, which creates a replicated semi-additive index data structure to pierce the opacity of complex machine learning applications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If complex machine learning applications are used to handle Big Data, then predictive performance and analysis capability are improved, but interpretability and traceability deteriorate due to black box effects

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepredictive performanceVSAvoidinterpretability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary system comprising a replicator module, translator module, and graphical user interface that acts as a mediator between the complex machine learning model and users. The replicator module creates local and global effect models, the translator module generates explanatory mappings, and the GUI renders visual representations, thereby bridging the gap between black box predictions and human understanding without compromising predictive performance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The replicator module creates simplified copies or approximations of the complex machine learning model's behavior through local and global effect models. These copies replicate the essential input-output relationships in an interpretable form, allowing users to understand model predictions without directly examining the complex internal structures of the original black box model

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Productivity

If the complexity of machine learning applications increases to handle larger datasets, then analysis capability is improved, but understanding and traceability of computing results deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanalysis capabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the complex machine learning system into multiple interpretable components: the original complex model, local effect models for specific predictions, global effect models for overall behavior, and visual representation layers. This segmentation allows analysis of large datasets while maintaining traceability by breaking down the complex system into understandable parts that can be individually examined and explained

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If traditional statistical methods are used, then simplicity and interpretability are maintained, but flexibility of modeling and predictive performance deteriorate when dealing with Big Data

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesimplicityVSAvoidpredictive performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating local effect models that provide simple, interpretable explanations for specific predictions while the global model handles complex Big Data analysis. This allows different parts of the system to have different qualities: the complex global model handles large-scale pattern recognition, while local models provide simple, understandable explanations for individual predictions, combining the strengths of both simplicity and advanced predictive capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS11550970B2Resolving opaqueness of complex machine learning applications
Publication Date: 2023.01.10 WELLS FARGO BANK NA
  • US11550970B2 patent drawing
  • US11550970B2 patent drawing
  • US11550970B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Computing systems and technical methods that transform data structures and pierce opacity difficulties associated with complex machine learning modules are disclosed. Advances include a framework and techniques that include: i) global diagnostics; ii) locally interpretable models LIME-SUP-R and LIME-SUP-D; and iii) explainable neural networks. Advances also include integrating LIME-SUP-R and LIME-SUP-D approaches that create a transformed data structure and replicated modeling over local and global effects and that yield high interpretability along with high accuracy of the replicated complex machine learning modules that make up a machine learning application.