Abstract:We construct a two-layered model for learning and generating sequential data that is both computationally fast and competitive with vanilla Tsetlin machines, adding numerous advantages. Through the use of hyperdimensional vector computing (HVC) algebras and Tsetlin machine clause structures, we demonstrate that the combination of both inherits the generality of data encoding and decoding of HVC with the fast interpretable nature of Tsetlin machines to yield a powerful machine learning model. We apply the approach in two areas, namely in forecasting, generating new sequences, and classification. For the latter, we derive results for the entire UCR Time Series Archive and compare with the standard benchmarks to see how well the method competes in time series classification.
Abstract:Bayesian networks (BN) are directed acyclic graphical (DAG) models that have been adopted into many fields for their strengths in transparency, interpretability, probabilistic reasoning, and causal modeling. Given a set of data, one hurdle towards using BNs is in building the network graph from the data that properly handles dependencies, whether correlated or causal. In this paper, we propose an initial methodology for discovering network structures using Tsetlin Machines.
Abstract:Hex is a turn-based two-player connection game with a high branching factor, making the game arbitrarily complex with increasing board sizes. As such, top-performing algorithms for playing Hex rely on accurate evaluation of board positions using neural networks. However, the limited interpretability of neural networks is problematic when the user wants to understand the reasoning behind the predictions made. In this paper, we propose to use propositional logic expressions to describe winning and losing board game positions, facilitating precise visual interpretation. We employ a Tsetlin Machine (TM) to learn these expressions from previously played games, describing where pieces must be located or not located for a board position to be strong. Extensive experiments on $6\times6$ boards compare our TM-based solution with popular machine learning algorithms like XGBoost, InterpretML, decision trees, and neural networks, considering various board configurations with $2$ to $22$ moves played. On average, the TM testing accuracy is $92.1\%$, outperforming all the other evaluated algorithms. We further demonstrate the global interpretation of the logical expressions and map them down to particular board game configurations to investigate local interpretability. We believe the resulting interpretability establishes building blocks for accurate assistive AI and human-AI collaboration, also for more complex prediction tasks.
Abstract:Tsetlin Machines (TMs) capture patterns using conjunctive clauses in propositional logic, thus facilitating interpretation. However, recent TM-based approaches mainly rely on inspecting the full range of clauses individually. Such inspection does not necessarily scale to complex prediction problems that require a large number of clauses. In this paper, we propose closed-form expressions for understanding why a TM model makes a specific prediction (local interpretability). Additionally, the expressions capture the most important features of the model overall (global interpretability). We further introduce expressions for measuring the importance of feature value ranges for continuous features. The expressions are formulated directly from the conjunctive clauses of the TM, making it possible to capture the role of features in real-time, also during the learning process as the model evolves. Additionally, from the closed-form expressions, we derive a novel data clustering algorithm for visualizing high-dimensional data in three dimensions. Finally, we compare our proposed approach against SHAP and state-of-the-art interpretable machine learning techniques. For both classification and regression, our evaluation show correspondence with SHAP as well as competitive prediction accuracy in comparison with XGBoost, Explainable Boosting Machines, and Neural Additive Models.