An Engineer-Friendly Terminology of White, Black and Grey-Box Models

Publikation: Beitrag in Buch/Konferenzbericht/Sammelband/GutachtenBeitrag in KonferenzbandBeigetragenBegutachtung

Abstract

In engineering modeling, white-box and black-box concepts represent two fundamental approaches for modeling systems. White-box models rely on detailed prior knowledge of the physical system, enabling transparent and explainable representations. Black-box models, on the other hand, consist of opaque internal workings and decision-making processes that prevent immediate interpretability. They are mainly data-driven, relying on statistical methods to capture system behavior. Depending on the literature at hand, the exact definitions of these two approaches differ. With the continuous emergence of machine learning algorithms in engineering and their move towards enhanced explainability and usability, the exact definition and assignment of white-and black-box properties soften. Grey-box modeling provides a hybrid approach. However, this term, as widely as it is used, has no clear definition either. This paper proposes a novel model on the relation of white-, black-and grey-box modeling, offering an improved categorization of conventional vanilla models, state-of-the-art hybrid models as well as the derivation of recommendations for action for targeted model improvement.

Details

OriginalspracheEnglisch
TitelProceedings of the 13th International Conference on Model-Based Software and Systems Engineering
Redakteure/-innenFederico Ciccozzi, Luís Ferreira Pires, Francis Bordeleau
Herausgeber (Verlag)Science and Technology Publications, Lda
Seiten313-320
Seitenumfang8
ISBN (Print)9789897587290
PublikationsstatusVeröffentlicht - 2025
Peer-Review-StatusJa

Publikationsreihe

ReiheInternational Conference on Model-Based Software and Systems Engineering (Modelsward)
Band1

Konferenz

Titel13th International Conference on Model-Based Software and Systems Engineering
KurztitelMODELSWARD 2025
Veranstaltungsnummer13
Dauer26 - 28 Februar 2025
Webseite
StadtPorto
LandPortugal

Externe IDs

ORCID /0000-0001-7540-4235/work/183164465
ORCID /0000-0002-6593-4678/work/183165423

Schlagworte

ASJC Scopus Sachgebiete

Schlagwörter

  • Black-Box, Explainable AI, Grey-Box, Modeling, Taxonomy, Usable AI, White-Box