BoolXAI: Explainable AI Using Expressive Boolean Formulas

Abstract

In this tool paper, we design, develop, and release BoolXAI, an interpretable machine learning classification approach for Explainable AI (XAI) based on expressive Boolean formulas. The Boolean formula defines a logical rule with tunable complexity according to which input data are classified. Beyond the classical conjunction and disjunction, BoolXAI offers expressive operators such as AtLeast, AtMost, and Choose and their parameterization. This provides higher expressiveness compared to rigid rules- and tree-based approaches. We show how to train BoolXAI classifiers effectively using native local optimization to search the space of feasible formulas. We provide illustrative results on several well-known public benchmarks that demonstrate the competitive nature of our approach compared to existing methods. Our work is embodied in the open-source BoolXAI library with a high-level user interface to serve researchers and practitioners. BoolXAI can be used either as a standalone interpretable classifier or for post-hoc explanations of other black-box models or observed behavior. We highlight several desirable benefits of our tool, especially in industrial settings where rapid experimentation, reusability, reproducibility, deployment, and maintenance are of great interest. Finally, we showcase a deployed service powered by BoolXAI as an enterprise application.