NeurFlow: Interpreting Neural Networks through Neuron Groups and Functional Interactions

Tue Minh Cao, Nhat Hoang-Xuan, Hieu Pham, Phi Le Nguyen, My T. Thai

Keywords: Explainable AI, Functional Interactions, Critical Neurons, Concept Circuits

TL;DR: In this paper, we propose a novel framework that shifts the focus from analyzing individual neurons to examining groups of critical neurons and their functional interactions that significantly influence model behavior.

Abstract: Understanding the inner workings of neural networks is essential for enhancing model performance and interpretability. Current research predominantly focuses on examining the connection between individual neurons and the model's final predictions, which suffers from challenges in interpreting the internal workings of the model, particularly when neurons encode multiple unrelated features. In this paper, we propose a novel framework that transitions the focus from analyzing individual neurons to investigating groups of neurons, shifting the emphasis from neuron-output relationships to the functional interactions between neurons. Our automated framework, NeurFlow, first identifies core neurons and clusters them into groups based on shared functional relationships, enabling a more coherent and interpretable view of the network’s internal processes. This approach facilitates the construction of a hierarchical circuit representing neuron interactions across layers, thus improving interpretability while reducing computational costs. Our extensive empirical studies validate the fidelity of our proposed NeurFlow. Additionally, we showcase its utility in practical applications such as image debugging and automatic concept labeling, thereby highlighting its potential to advance the field of neural network explainability.

Primary Area: interpretability and explainable AI

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Submission Number: 8036