Transparency in Algorithmic Decision-making: Interpretable Models for Ethical Accountability

• Published in: E3S web of conferences Vol. 491; p. 2041
• Main Authors: Raja Kumar, Jambi Ratna, Kalnawat, Aarti, Pawar, Avinash M., Jadhav, Varsha D., Srilatha, P., Khetani, Vinit
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Les Ulis EDP Sciences 01.01.2024
• Subjects: Algorithms; Decision making; ethical accountability; Ethics; Judicial system; Learning algorithms; Machine learning; Opacity; rule based system
• ISSN: 2267-1242; 2555-0403; 2267-1242
• DOI: 10.1051/e3sconf/202449102041

Concerns regarding their opacity and potential ethical ramifications have been raised by the spread of algorithmic decisionmaking systems across a variety of fields. By promoting the use of interpretable machine learning models, this research addresses the critical requirement for openness and moral responsibility in these systems. Interpretable models provide a transparent and intelligible depiction of how decisions are made, as opposed to complicated black-box algorithms. Users and stakeholders need this openness in order to understand, verify, and hold accountable the decisions made by these algorithms. Furthermore, interpretability promotes fairness in algorithmic results by making it easier to detect and reduce biases. In this article, we give an overview of the difficulties brought on by algorithmic opacity, highlighting how crucial it is to solve these difficulties in a variety of settings, including those involving healthcare, banking, criminal justice, and more. From linear models to rule-based systems to surrogate models, we give a thorough analysis of interpretable machine learning techniques, highlighting their benefits and drawbacks. We suggest that incorporating interpretable models into the design and use of algorithms can result in a more responsible and moral application of AI in society, ultimately benefiting people and communities while lowering the risks connected to opaque decision-making processes.