Can SHAPELY (SHAP) values be used to explain the importance of different features being fed to a Neural Network ? I know they are used in Traditional ML on Tabular data
Yes, SHAP (SHapley Additive exPlanations) values can certainly be used to explain the importance of different features in a neural network, as well as in traditional machine learning models with tabular data. SHAP values are a powerful tool for interpreting complex models, including deep learning models, by providing a way to explain the contribution of each feature to the output prediction.
Here's how SHAP values can be utilized with neural networks:
1. **Model Agnostic**: SHAP is model agnostic, meaning it can be applied to any machine learning model, including neural networks. It computes the contribution of each feature by considering all possible feature combinations.
2. **DeepExplainer**: SHAP has a specific explainer for deep learning models called `DeepExplainer`, which is designed to handle the specific characteristics and complexities of neural networks. It can be used with models built using deep learning frameworks such as TensorFlow and Keras.
3. **Interpretable Outputs**: SHAP values provide a consistent and interpretable metric for feature importance. They quantify how much each feature contributes to moving the prediction away from the mean prediction, giving insights into the workings of the model.
### How to Use SHAP with Neural Networks
Here's a basic implementation example using SHAP with a neural network built in Keras:
- **Feature Importance**: Understand which features are most relevant to the model's predictions.
- **Transparency**: Provide transparency to complex deep learning models.
- **Debugging**: Identify features that might be causing unexpected model behavior.
- **Trust**: Increase trust and credibility in model predictions by providing explanations.
In conclusion, SHAP values offer a robust framework for interpreting neural networks, just as they do for traditional machine learning models, and can help in making these complex models more interpretable and trustworthy.