Causal Inference in AI Based Decision Support: Beyond Correlation to Causation
Mohan Krishna Mannava · 2024
In the emergent and evolving landscape of artificial intelligence, decision support systems have a vital role in the choice-making functions, right from the health sector to finance. Whereas the new generation of traditional AI models is excellent at identifying correlations in big datasets, it often cannot discern whether true causal relations are driving an outcome. This then often results in misguided decisions that do not relate to the underpinning factors driving the outcomes. The present study focuses on the causal inference of AI-based decision support, moving beyond the correlations to identify causes using real-world datasets. We integrate some of the advanced techniques in causal modeling and show how AI systems can provide more accurate and actionable insights. We use case studies on healthcare patient outcomes and financial risk assessments to demonstrate improved decision-making insight developed from the understanding of causative factors. This will help make recommendations from AI more reliable and foster greater trust and accountability in automated decision-making processes. Embracing causal inference within AI finally opens the door to informed and effective strategy formulation, anchored in understanding rather than superficial associations of variables.