Explainability and causability in digital pathology

The current move towards digital pathology enables pathologists to use artificial intelligence (AI)-based computer programmes for the advanced analysis of whole slide images. However, currently, the best-performing AI algorithms for image analysis are deemed black boxes since it remains - even to their developers - often unclear why the algorithm delivered a particular result. Especially in medicine, a better understanding of algorithmic decisions is essential to avoid mistakes and adverse effects on patients. This review article aims to provide medical experts with insights on the issue of explainability in digital pathology. A short introduction to the relevant underlying core concepts of machine learning shall nurture the reader's understanding of why explainability is a specific issue in this field. Addressing this issue of explainability, the rapidly evolving research field of explainable AI (XAI) has developed many techniques and methods to make black-box machine-learning systems more transparent. These XAI methods are a first step towards making black-box AI systems understandable by humans. However, we argue that an explanation interface must complement these explainable models to make their results useful to human stakeholders and achieve a high level of causability, i.e. a high level of causal understanding by the user. This is especially relevant in the medical field since explainability and causability play a crucial role also for compliance with regulatory requirements. We conclude by promoting the need for novel user interfaces for AI applications in pathology, which enable contextual understanding and allow the medical expert to ask interactive 'what-if'-questions. In pathology, such user interfaces will not only be important to achieve a high level of causability. They will also be crucial for keeping the human-in-the-loop and bringing medical experts' experience and conceptual knowledge to AI processes.

Automated summary

The development of digital pathology allows pathologists to utilize AI-based computer programs for advanced analysis of whole slide images. However, the best-performing AI algorithms for image analysis are considered black boxes, making it unclear why they produce specific results. This article addresses the issue of explainability in digital pathology and discusses the necessity of explainable AI (XAI) techniques to enhance transparency and causal understanding. The authors argue for the development of user interfaces that enable contextual understanding and interactive questioning to bridge the gap between AI processes and medical experts' knowledge.