Why and How Should We Explain AI?

Conference paper (2023)

Authors

S.N.R. Buijsman Ethics & Philosophy of Technology - TPM , Values Technology and Innovation
Research Group
Ethics & Philosophy of Technology (TPM) (TU Delft)
Copyright: © 2023 S.N.R. Buijsman
DOI
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https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-24349-3_11
Trust Explainability AI ethics
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Published Date

2023

Language

English

Reuse Rights

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Faculty

Technology, Policy and Management

Department

Values Technology and Innovation

Research Group

Ethics & Philosophy of Technology

Abstract

Why should we explain opaque algorithms? Here four papers are discussed that argue that, in fact, we don’t have to. Explainability, according to them, isn’t needed for trust in algorithms, nor is it needed for other goals we might have. I give a critical overview of these arguments, showing that there is still room to think that explainability is required for responsible AI. With that in mind, the second part of the paper looks at how we might achieve this end goal. I proceed not from technical tools in explainability, but rather highlight accounts of explanation in philosophy that might inform what those technical tools should ultimately deliver. While there is disagreement here on what constitutes an explanation, the three accounts surveyed offer a good overview of the current theoretical landscape in philosophy and of what information might constitute an explanation. As such, they can hopefully inspire improvements to the technical explainability tools.