Explainable AI in (Astro)physics

Abstract

Machine learning has significantly improved the way scientists model and interpret large datasets across a broad range of the physical sciences; yet, its "black box" nature often limits our ability to trust and understand its results. Interpretable and explainable AI is ultimately required to realize the potential of machine-assisted scientific discovery. I will review efforts toward explainable AI focusing in particular in applications within the field of Astrophysics. I will present an explainable deep learning framework which combines model compression and information theory to achieve explainability. I will demonstrate its relevance to cosmological large-scale structures, such as dark matter halos and galaxies, as well as the cosmic microwave background, revealing new physical insights derived from these explainable AI models.