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ZENODO
Report . 2025
License: CC BY
Data sources: ZENODO
ZENODO
Report . 2025
License: CC BY
Data sources: Datacite
ZENODO
Report . 2025
License: CC BY
Data sources: Datacite
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Neural Path Machines (NPM). A Unified Framework for Trajectory-Based Interpretability, Internal-State Debugging, and Causal What-If Interventions

Authors: Nekludoff, Alexey A.;

Neural Path Machines (NPM). A Unified Framework for Trajectory-Based Interpretability, Internal-State Debugging, and Causal What-If Interventions

Abstract

Neural networks achieve remarkable performance across domains, yet their internal computation remains largely opaque. During inference, activations evolve as a sequence of hidden states whose dynamics ultimately determine the model’s output. Traditional interpretability techniques focus on input–output relationships or gradient-based attributions and provide limited insight into the internal computational process itself.This report introduces the Neural Path Machine (NPM), a framework for making neural computation observable at the level of internal trajectories. NPM records activation paths, identifies unstable or influential transitions, and enables causal what-if interventions by modifying activations during execution. These capabilities transform a neural network from a black box into a transparent discrete dynamical system whose internal states can be inspected, manipulated, and systematicallydebugged.By exposing the structure of computational paths, NPM provides a principled foundation for tracing model failures, analysing sensitivity and robustness, and performing targeted model corrections. The trajectory-based perspective also suggestsnew training possibilities that operate on internal transitions rather than solely on output errors; these extensions are developed in a separate companion report. Overall, NPM offers a coherent and practical methodology for studying and controlling the internal behaviour of neural networks, bridging interpretability, diagnostics, and dynamical analysis within a unified framework.

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selected citations
These citations are derived from selected sources.
This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Citations provided by BIP!
popularity
This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Popularity provided by BIP!
influence
This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Influence provided by BIP!
impulse
This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Impulse provided by BIP!
0
Average
Average
Average
Green