selected publications [full list]

1. ECML PKDD

   On the robustness of global feature effect explanations

   H. Baniecki, G. Casalicchio, B. Bischl, P. Biecek

   ECML PKDD 2024
   Theoretical bounds for the robustness of feature effects to data and model perturbations.

   Abstract arXiv Code

   We study the robustness of global post-hoc explanations for predictive models trained on tabular data. Effects of predictor features in black-box supervised learning are an essential diagnostic tool for model debugging and scientific discovery in applied sciences. However, how vulnerable they are to data and model perturbations remains an open research question. We introduce several theoretical bounds for evaluating the robustness of partial dependence plots and accumulated local effects. Our experimental results with synthetic and real-world datasets quantify the gap between the best and worst-case scenarios of (mis)interpreting machine learning predictions globally.

2. Inf. Fus.

   Adversarial attacks and defenses in explainable artificial intelligence: A survey

   H. Baniecki, P. Biecek

   Information Fusion, 2024
   Review of adversarial attacks on explanations and how to defend them.

   Abstract Paper arXiv Website

   Explainable artificial intelligence (XAI) methods are portrayed as a remedy for debugging and trusting statistical and deep learning models, as well as interpreting their predictions. However, recent advances in adversarial machine learning (AdvML) highlight the limitations and vulnerabilities of state-of-the-art explanation methods, putting their security and trustworthiness into question. The possibility of manipulating, fooling or fairwashing evidence of the model's reasoning has detrimental consequences when applied in high-stakes decision-making and knowledge discovery. This survey provides a comprehensive overview of research concerning adversarial attacks on explanations of machine learning models, as well as fairness metrics. We introduce a unified notation and taxonomy of methods facilitating a common ground for researchers and practitioners from the intersecting research fields of AdvML and XAI. We discuss how to defend against attacks and design robust interpretation methods. We contribute a list of existing insecurities in XAI and outline the emerging research directions in adversarial XAI (AdvXAI). Future work should address improving explanation methods and evaluation protocols to take into account the reported safety issues.

3. DAMI

   The grammar of interactive explanatory model analysis

   H. Baniecki, D. Parzych, P. Biecek

   Data Mining and Knowledge Discovery, 2023
   Interactive explanation of a model improves the performance of human decision making.

   Abstract Paper arXiv Code Website

   The growing need for in-depth analysis of predictive models leads to a series of new methods for explaining their local and global properties. Which of these methods is the best? It turns out that this is an ill-posed question. One cannot sufficiently explain a black-box machine learning model using a single method that gives only one perspective. Isolated explanations are prone to misunderstanding, leading to wrong or simplistic reasoning. This problem is known as the Rashomon effect and refers to diverse, even contradictory, interpretations of the same phenomenon. Surprisingly, most methods developed for explainable and responsible machine learning focus on a single-aspect of the model behavior. In contrast, we showcase the problem of explainability as an interactive and sequential analysis of a model. This paper proposes how different Explanatory Model Analysis (EMA) methods complement each other and discusses why it is essential to juxtapose them. The introduced process of Interactive EMA (IEMA) derives from the algorithmic side of explainable machine learning and aims to embrace ideas developed in cognitive sciences. We formalize the grammar of IEMA to describe human-model interaction. It is implemented in a widely used human-centered open-source software framework that adopts interactivity, customizability and automation as its main traits. We conduct a user study to evaluate the usefulness of IEMA, which indicates that an interactive sequential analysis of a model may increase the accuracy and confidence of human decision making.

4. ECML PKDD

   Fooling partial dependence via data poisoning

   H. Baniecki, W. Kretowicz, P. Biecek

   ECML PKDD 2022
   Feature effect explanations can be manipulated in an adversarial manner.

   Abstract Paper arXiv Code Slides

   Many methods have been developed to understand complex predictive models and high expectations are placed on post-hoc model explainability. It turns out that such explanations are not robust nor trustworthy, and they can be fooled. This paper presents techniques for attacking Partial Dependence (plots, profiles, PDP), which are among the most popular methods of explaining any predictive model trained on tabular data. We showcase that PD can be manipulated in an adversarial manner, which is alarming, especially in financial or medical applications where auditability became a must-have trait supporting black-box models. The fooling is performed via poisoning the data to bend and shift explanations in the desired direction using genetic and gradient algorithms. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first work using a genetic algorithm for attacking explanations, which is highly transferable as it generalizes both ways: in a model-agnostic and an explanation-agnostic manner.

5. JMLR

   dalex: Responsible machine learning with interactive explainability and fairness in Python

   H. Baniecki, W. Kretowicz, P. Piatyszek, J. Wisniewski, P. Biecek

   Journal of Machine Learning Research, 2021
   2022 John M. Chambers Statistical Software Award

   Abstract Paper arXiv Code Website

   In modern machine learning, we observe the phenomenon of opaqueness debt, which manifests itself by an increased risk of discrimination, lack of reproducibility, and deflated performance due to data drift. An increasing amount of available data and computing power results in the growing complexity of black-box predictive models. To manage these issues, good MLOps practice asks for better validation of model performance and fairness, higher explainability, and continuous monitoring. The necessity for deeper model transparency comes from both scientific and social domains and is also caused by emerging laws and regulations on artificial intelligence. To facilitate the responsible development of machine learning models, we introduce dalex, a Python package which implements a model-agnostic interface for interactive explainability and fairness. It adopts the design crafted through the development of various tools for explainable machine learning; thus, it aims at the unification of existing solutions. This library's source code and documentation are available under open license at https://python.drwhy.ai.