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  Chess as a platform for inherently interpretable AI research [SELF-FUNDED STUDENTS ONLY]


   Cardiff School of Computer Science & Informatics

  , , Dr Jose Camacho Collados  Applications accepted all year round  Self-Funded PhD Students Only

About the Project

About the Project:

The way in which AI systems make decisions is often different from the approach a human takes. Thus, the operation of an AI system may be difficult to interpret and learn from, and poses the problem of user trust. Many state-of-the-art models (e.g. deep neural networks) operate as black boxes optimised for predictive accuracy, with no provision for interpretability of the results – a property desired in scenarios like medical diagnoses or security systems. Further, when a learning-based system achieves superhuman performance, it is desirable to understand the patterns learned by the system as they may improve human understanding of the problem itself.

Chess has historically been a platform and a benchmark in AI research. Recently, methods based on deep learning for position evaluation (AlphaZero) emerged, showing state-of-the-art performance. Compared to traditional chess engines (e.g. Stockfish), they evaluate a drastically smaller number of positions, relying on learning a better position evaluation function with a DNN, presumably capturing higher-level, more human-like “positional understanding”.

However, the discrepancy between human reasoning and chess engines is apparent: humans cannot remotely compare with chess engines in the number of positions they evaluate, and rely on higher-level understanding of the game and heuristics with which to conceptualise and guide analysis.

Evidence from image-based and other types of DNN models suggests that their performance can be attributed to building incrementally higher-level and more abstract representations of data. We hypothesise that chess can also be modelled in a similar way and that chess is a promising platform for general interpretable AI research. This project will concentrate on devising inherently interpretable DNN models for chess, and on their analysis and generalisation to other interpretable AI problems. To this end the project will:

(1) Investigate whether it is possible to train models to recognise and exploit low-level tactical patterns (e.g. “pin”, “fork”, “X-ray”) and use these tactical models as inputs to a chess engine, instead of raw game states.

(2) Investigate training DNN models that encapsulate the highest, strategic levels of abstraction in chess (e.g. “controlling the centre”, “locking the position”, “war of attrition”).

(3) Develop a complete DNN evaluation engine designed explicitly to reason at multiple levels of abstraction, with potential to learn previously unknown mid-level abstractions in chess.

(4) Develop practical tools for human-interpretable analysis of chess and for training of human players. Generalise results to other decision-making systems. 

Contact for more information on the project: Dr Kirill Sidorov;

Academic criteria: A 2:1 Honours undergraduate degree or a master's degree, in computing or a related subject. Applicants with appropriate professional experience are also considered. Degree-level mathematics (or equivalent) is required for research in some project areas. 

Applicants for whom English is not their first language must demonstrate proficiency by obtaining an IELTS score of at least 6.5 overall, with a minimum of 6.0 in each skills component. 

How to apply:  

Please contact the supervisors of the project prior to submitting your application to discuss and develop an individual research proposal that builds on the information provided in this advert. Once you have developed the proposal with support from the supervisors, please submit your application following the instructions provided below 

Please submit your application via Computer Science and Informatics - Study - Cardiff University 

In order to be considered candidates must submit the following information:  

  • Supporting statement  
  • CV  
  • In the ‘Research Proposal’ section of the application enter the name of the project you are applying to and upload your Individual research proposal, as mentioned above in BOLD 
  • Qualification certificates and Transcripts 
  • References x 2  
  • Proof of English language (if applicable) 

If you have any questions on the application process, please contact  

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