Explaining Explanations in AI (1811.01439v1)

Abstract: Recent work on interpretability in machine learning and AI has focused on the building of simplified models that approximate the true criteria used to make decisions. These models are a useful pedagogical device for teaching trained professionals how to predict what decisions will be made by the complex system, and most importantly how the system might break. However, when considering any such model it's important to remember Box's maxim that "All models are wrong but some are useful." We focus on the distinction between these models and explanations in philosophy and sociology. These models can be understood as a "do it yourself kit" for explanations, allowing a practitioner to directly answer "what if questions" or generate contrastive explanations without external assistance. Although a valuable ability, giving these models as explanations appears more difficult than necessary, and other forms of explanation may not have the same trade-offs. We contrast the different schools of thought on what makes an explanation, and suggest that machine learning might benefit from viewing the problem more broadly.

Overview of "SIG Proceedings Paper in LaTeX Format"

The paper "SIG Proceedings Paper in LaTeX Format" provides a detailed instructional guide on adhering to ACM SIG proceedings formatting requirements using LaTeX. The content is primarily addressed to authors preparing documents for ACM conferences and seeks to standardize the appearance of conference proceedings through specific formatting guidelines.

Key Content Overview

The document outlines a systematic approach for structuring an ACM SIG conference paper, detailing the necessary LaTeX commands and environments essential for format compliance. It covers the following elements:

1. Document Structure: The paper exhibits a strong hierarchical structure, showcasing commands for sections and subsections. These help maintain a coherent layout across various parts of academic papers, ensuring that headings are appropriately numbered and styled.
2. Text Formatting: Guidance on text formatting includes the use of different typefaces and styles, such as italics and bold, controlled through LaTeX commands. This ensures that style changes are correctly integrated into the document's structural elements.
3. Mathematical Expressions: The paper provides comprehensive instructions on incorporating mathematical expressions within the text, addressing inline and display equations. This is critical for technical documents, where precise representation of formulas is crucial.
4. Citations and References: Standard practices for embedding citations and generating bibliographies are discussed, with emphasis on utilizing BibTeX. This automates reference management, ensuring consistency and accuracy—a vital feature for scholarly communications.
5. Tables and Figures: The paper elucidates the creation and floating placement of tables and figures, emphasizing the proper use of LaTeX environments to achieve desired layouts. The use of the booktabs package is recommended for improved typographic quality in tables.
6. Logical Constructs: The document also caters to the inclusion of theorem-like environments, which are often needed in technical papers to present logical arguments and definitions clearly.

Practical and Theoretical Implications

The provision of a standardized format using LaTeX facilitates a uniform presentation style across ACM conference papers, enhancing readability and accessibility. This standardization is beneficial both for authors, who have clear guidelines to follow, and for readers, who can rely on a consistent document structure.

From a theoretical perspective, the guidelines reinforce the importance of structure and clarity in scientific documentation. Ensuring consistency in presentation aids in the effective communication of complex ideas and supports the dissemination of knowledge within the research community.

Future Developments

The paper implicitly anticipates future revisions and updates to formatting guidelines as LaTeX and ACM standards evolve. Ongoing updates ensure that authors can leverage new LaTeX features and adapt to any changes in the ACM's requirements.

In the broader scope of document preparation and AI involvement, there may be potential developments in intelligent tools that further automate and simplify the formatting process, integrating more advanced NLP capabilities to interpret and structure content dynamically.

Overall, "SIG Proceedings Paper in LaTeX Format" serves as a vital resource for academic authors aiming for adherence to ACM's stringent procedural and presentation standards, reinforcing the critical role of formatting in scholarly communication.