Q&A: Should artificial intelligence be legally required to explain itself?

Algorithms that detect the threat level of airline passengers might operate without accountability. As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes more sophisticated, it also becomes more opaque. Machine-learning algorithms can grind through massive amounts of data, generating predictions and making decisions without the ability to explain to humans what it's doing. In matters of consequence--from hiring decisions to criminal sentencing--should we require justifications? A commentary published today in Science Robotics discusses regulatory efforts to make AI more transparent, explainable, and accountable.