Cited by 32Explainable Artificial Intelligence (XAI)Anomaly Detection Techniques and ApplicationsMachine Learning and Data Classification

Explainable outlier detection: What, for Whom and Why?

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Sejr, Jonas Herskind, Schneider-Kamp, Anna·2021·Machine Learning with Applications

Abstract

Outlier algorithms are becoming increasingly complex. Thereby, they become much less interpretable to the data scientists applying the algorithms in real-life settings and to end-users using their predictions. We argue that outliers are context-dependent and, therefore, can only be detected via domain knowledge, algorithm insight, and interaction with end-users. As outlier detection is equivalent to unsupervised semantic binary classification, at the core of interpreting an outlier algorithm we find the semantics of the classes, i.e., the algorithm’s conceptual outlier definition. We investigate current interpretable and explainable outlier algorithms: what they are, for whom they are, and what their value proposition is. We then discuss how interpretation and explanation and user involvement have the potential to provide the missing link to bring modern complex outlier algorithms from computer science labs into real-life applications and the challenges they induce.

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Research works printed but not linked: 2

  1. Chandola, V., Banerjee, A., & Kumar, V. (2009b). Anomaly detection: A survey. ACM Computing Surveys, 41, http://dx.doi.org/10.1145/1541880.1541882. · DOI · Paper page
  2. Zhang, J., Lou, M., Ling, T. W., & Wang, H. (2004). HOS-miner: A system for detecting outlying subspaces of high-dimensional data. In Proc. VLDB (pp. 1265-1268). · DOI

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Authors
Sejr, J. H., & Schneider-Kamp, A.
Affiliations
University of Southern Denmark (DK)
Corresponding author
Sejr, Jonas Herskind
Venue
Machine Learning with Applications
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2021-12
Volume
6
Pages
100172
ISSN
2666-8270 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W3202144687
Cited by
32
References
74
Citations by year
2026: 5 · 2025: 7 · 2024: 8 · 2023: 7 · 2022: 4 · 2021: 1
FWCI
1.75
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Machine Learning with Applications (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
  • University of Southern Denmark Research Portal (University of Southern Denmark) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Computer Science › Artificial Intelligence › Explainable Artificial Intelligence (XAI)
  • Physical Sciences › Computer Science › Artificial Intelligence › Anomaly Detection Techniques and Applications
  • Physical Sciences › Computer Science › Artificial Intelligence › Machine Learning and Data Classification
Keywords
outlier detection, explainable AI, interpretability, end-user involvement, domain knowledge, real-world applications

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