A Model of Understanding in Deep Learning Systems
I propose a model of systematic understanding, suitable for machine learning systems. On this account, an agent understands a property of a target system when it contains an adequate internal model that tracks real regularities, is coupled to the target by stable bridge principles, and supports reliable prediction. I argue that contemporary deep learning systems often can and do achieve such understanding. However they generally fall short of the ideal of scientific understanding: the understanding is symbolically misaligned with the target system, not explicitly reductive, and only weakly unifying. I label this the Fractured Understanding Hypothesis.
| Authors | David Peter Wallis Freeborn |
|---|---|
| Primary category | cs.AI |
| Published | 5 April 2026 |
| Last updated at source | 5 April 2026 |
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