Thrifty World Models for Applying Machine Learning in the Design of Complex Biosocial–Technical Systems

Interactions between human behavior, legal regulations, and monitoring technology in road traffic systems provide an everyday example of complex biosocial–technical systems. In this paper, a study is reported that investigated the potential for a thrifty world model to predict consequences from choices about road traffic system design. Colloquially, the term thrifty means economical. In physics, the term thrifty is related to the principle of least action. Predictions were made with algebraic machine learning, which combines predefined embeddings with ongoing learning from data. The thrifty world model comprises three categories that encompass a total of only eight system design choice options. Results indicate that the thrifty world model is sufficient to encompass biosocial–technical complexity in predictions of where and when it is most likely that accidents will occur. Overall, it is argued that thrifty world models can provide a practical alternative to large photo-realistic world models, which can contribute to explainable artificial intelligence (AI) and to frugal AI.