Interpretable Deep Image Classification Using Rationally Inattentive Utility Maximization

Can deep convolutional neural networks (CNNs) for image classification be interpreted as utility maximizers with information costs? By performing set-valued system identification for Bayesian decision systems, we demonstrate that deep CNNs behave equivalently (in terms of necessary and sufficient conditions) to rationally inattentive Bayesian utility maximizers, a generative model used extensively in economics for human decision-making. Our claim is based on approximately 500 numerical experiments on 5 widely used neural network architectures. The parameters of the resulting interpretable model are computed efficiently via convex feasibility algorithms. As a practical application, we also illustrate how the reconstructed interpretable model can predict the classification performance of deep CNNs with high accuracy. The theoretical foundation of our approach lies in Bayesian revealed preference studied in micro-economics. All our results are on GitHub and completely reproducible.