Automatic transparency evaluation for open knowledge extraction systems

Abstract Background This paper proposes Cyrus, a new transparency evaluation framework, for Open Knowledge Extraction (OKE) systems. Cyrus is based on the state-of-the-art transparency models and linked data quality assessment dimensions. It brings together a comprehensive view of transparency dimen...

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Main Authors: Maryam Basereh, Annalina Caputo, Rob Brennan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2023-08-01
Series:Journal of Biomedical Semantics
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s13326-023-00293-9
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author Maryam Basereh
Annalina Caputo
Rob Brennan
author_facet Maryam Basereh
Annalina Caputo
Rob Brennan
author_sort Maryam Basereh
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background This paper proposes Cyrus, a new transparency evaluation framework, for Open Knowledge Extraction (OKE) systems. Cyrus is based on the state-of-the-art transparency models and linked data quality assessment dimensions. It brings together a comprehensive view of transparency dimensions for OKE systems. The Cyrus framework is used to evaluate the transparency of three linked datasets, which are built from the same corpus by three state-of-the-art OKE systems. The evaluation is automatically performed using a combination of three state-of-the-art FAIRness (Findability, Accessibility, Interoperability, Reusability) assessment tools and a linked data quality evaluation framework, called Luzzu. This evaluation includes six Cyrus data transparency dimensions for which existing assessment tools could be identified. OKE systems extract structured knowledge from unstructured or semi-structured text in the form of linked data. These systems are fundamental components of advanced knowledge services. However, due to the lack of a transparency framework for OKE, most OKE systems are not transparent. This means that their processes and outcomes are not understandable and interpretable. A comprehensive framework sheds light on different aspects of transparency, allows comparison between the transparency of different systems by supporting the development of transparency scores, gives insight into the transparency weaknesses of the system, and ways to improve them. Automatic transparency evaluation helps with scalability and facilitates transparency assessment. The transparency problem has been identified as critical by the European Union Trustworthy Artificial Intelligence (AI) guidelines. In this paper, Cyrus provides the first comprehensive view of transparency dimensions for OKE systems by merging the perspectives of the FAccT (Fairness, Accountability, and Transparency), FAIR, and linked data quality research communities. Results In Cyrus, data transparency includes ten dimensions which are grouped in two categories. In this paper, six of these dimensions, i.e., provenance, interpretability, understandability, licensing, availability, interlinking have been evaluated automatically for three state-of-the-art OKE systems, using the state-of-the-art metrics and tools. Covid-on-the-Web is identified to have the highest mean transparency. Conclusions This is the first research to study the transparency of OKE systems that provides a comprehensive set of transparency dimensions spanning ethics, trustworthy AI, and data quality approaches to transparency. It also demonstrates how to perform automated transparency evaluation that combines existing FAIRness and linked data quality assessment tools for the first time. We show that state-of-the-art OKE systems vary in the transparency of the linked data generated and that these differences can be automatically quantified leading to potential applications in trustworthy AI, compliance, data protection, data governance, and future OKE system design and testing.
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spelling doaj.art-3a123ff3f7054a45a4b340f1139441342023-11-20T11:21:22ZengBMCJournal of Biomedical Semantics2041-14802023-08-0114111810.1186/s13326-023-00293-9Automatic transparency evaluation for open knowledge extraction systemsMaryam Basereh0Annalina Caputo1Rob Brennan2School of Computing, Dublin City UniversitySchool of Computing, Dublin City UniversityADAPT Centre, School of Computer Science, University College DublinAbstract Background This paper proposes Cyrus, a new transparency evaluation framework, for Open Knowledge Extraction (OKE) systems. Cyrus is based on the state-of-the-art transparency models and linked data quality assessment dimensions. It brings together a comprehensive view of transparency dimensions for OKE systems. The Cyrus framework is used to evaluate the transparency of three linked datasets, which are built from the same corpus by three state-of-the-art OKE systems. The evaluation is automatically performed using a combination of three state-of-the-art FAIRness (Findability, Accessibility, Interoperability, Reusability) assessment tools and a linked data quality evaluation framework, called Luzzu. This evaluation includes six Cyrus data transparency dimensions for which existing assessment tools could be identified. OKE systems extract structured knowledge from unstructured or semi-structured text in the form of linked data. These systems are fundamental components of advanced knowledge services. However, due to the lack of a transparency framework for OKE, most OKE systems are not transparent. This means that their processes and outcomes are not understandable and interpretable. A comprehensive framework sheds light on different aspects of transparency, allows comparison between the transparency of different systems by supporting the development of transparency scores, gives insight into the transparency weaknesses of the system, and ways to improve them. Automatic transparency evaluation helps with scalability and facilitates transparency assessment. The transparency problem has been identified as critical by the European Union Trustworthy Artificial Intelligence (AI) guidelines. In this paper, Cyrus provides the first comprehensive view of transparency dimensions for OKE systems by merging the perspectives of the FAccT (Fairness, Accountability, and Transparency), FAIR, and linked data quality research communities. Results In Cyrus, data transparency includes ten dimensions which are grouped in two categories. In this paper, six of these dimensions, i.e., provenance, interpretability, understandability, licensing, availability, interlinking have been evaluated automatically for three state-of-the-art OKE systems, using the state-of-the-art metrics and tools. Covid-on-the-Web is identified to have the highest mean transparency. Conclusions This is the first research to study the transparency of OKE systems that provides a comprehensive set of transparency dimensions spanning ethics, trustworthy AI, and data quality approaches to transparency. It also demonstrates how to perform automated transparency evaluation that combines existing FAIRness and linked data quality assessment tools for the first time. We show that state-of-the-art OKE systems vary in the transparency of the linked data generated and that these differences can be automatically quantified leading to potential applications in trustworthy AI, compliance, data protection, data governance, and future OKE system design and testing.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13326-023-00293-9Transparency frameworkAutomatic transparency evaluationOpen knowledge extractionFAIRness assessmentQuality evaluation
spellingShingle Maryam Basereh
Annalina Caputo
Rob Brennan
Automatic transparency evaluation for open knowledge extraction systems
Journal of Biomedical Semantics
Transparency framework
Automatic transparency evaluation
Open knowledge extraction
FAIRness assessment
Quality evaluation
title Automatic transparency evaluation for open knowledge extraction systems
title_full Automatic transparency evaluation for open knowledge extraction systems
title_fullStr Automatic transparency evaluation for open knowledge extraction systems
title_full_unstemmed Automatic transparency evaluation for open knowledge extraction systems
title_short Automatic transparency evaluation for open knowledge extraction systems
title_sort automatic transparency evaluation for open knowledge extraction systems
topic Transparency framework
Automatic transparency evaluation
Open knowledge extraction
FAIRness assessment
Quality evaluation
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s13326-023-00293-9
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