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

Research output: Contribution to book/Conference proceedings/Anthology/ReportConference contributionContributedpeer-review

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

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings of the 13th International Conference on Model-Based Software and Systems Engineering
EditorsFederico Ciccozzi, Luís Ferreira Pires, Francis Bordeleau
PublisherScience and Technology Publications, Lda
Pages313-320
Number of pages8
ISBN (print)9789897587290
Publication statusPublished - 2025
Peer-reviewedYes

Publication series

SeriesInternational Conference on Model-Based Software and Systems Engineering (Modelsward)
Volume1

Conference

Title13th International Conference on Model-Based Software and Systems Engineering
Abbreviated titleMODELSWARD 2025
Conference number13
Duration26 - 28 February 2025
Website
CityPorto
CountryPortugal

External IDs

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

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Keywords

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