blackboxes
Conceals inner mechanisms
Blackboxes is the plural of blackbox, a system or device whose internal workings are hidden or unknown—you see inputs and outputs but not the process between.
In aviation, a flight recorder is called a black box despite being orange.
In computing and AI, blackbox describes algorithms that produce results without revealing how: These AI systems are blackboxes—we can't explain their decisions.
To blackbox something is to treat it as opaque, ignoring its inner mechanisms.
Aircraft data preservation device
- cockpitPilot's control compartment
- crashSudden violent impact
- investigationFormal examination of facts
- NTSBFederal accident investigation agency
FAA · telemetry · transponder · avionics · FDR · locator beacon · jetliner · airline
Something hard to fathom
- unknownNot yet discovered
- secretsConcealed information
- inscrutableImpossible to understand
- hiddenKept out of sight
impenetrable · opaque · unexplained · mysterious · concealed · undisclosed · proprietary · unaccountable
Finite problem-solving procedure
- inputData received for processing
- outputWhat something generates
- neural networkInterconnected computational nodes mimicking cognition
- machine learningAlgorithms that improve from data
AI · deep learning · model · abstraction · function · system · API · inference
Converting data into code
- firewallNetwork access control system
- cybersecurityProtection of digital systems
- surveillanceSystematic observation of subjects
- confidentialityQuality of protecting secrets
obfuscation · tamper-proof · secure · protected · classified · restricted · authentication · forensics
flight recorder
Aircraft data preservation device
- cockpitPilot's control compartment
- crashSudden violent impact
- investigationFormal examination of facts
NTSB · FAA · telemetry · transponder · avionics · FDR · locator beacon · jetliner · airline · pilot
enigma
Something hard to fathom
- unknownNot yet discovered
- secretsConcealed information
- inscrutableImpossible to understand
hidden · impenetrable · opaque · unexplained · mysterious · concealed · undisclosed · proprietary · unaccountable · untraceable
algorithm
Finite problem-solving procedure
- inputData received for processing
- outputWhat something generates
- neural networkInterconnected computational nodes mimicking cognition
machine learning · AI · deep learning · model · abstraction · function · system · API · inference · parameters
encryption
Converting data into code
- firewallNetwork access control system
- cybersecurityProtection of digital systems
- surveillanceSystematic observation of subjects
confidentiality · obfuscation · tamper-proof · secure · protected · classified · restricted · authentication · forensics · audit trail