ISTQB AI Testing CT-AI ISTQB Study Notes

Bias in an AI system occurs when the training data contains inherent prejudices that cause the model to make unfair predictions. Experience-based testing, particularlyExploratory Data Analysis (EDA), helps uncover these biases by analyzing patterns, distributions, and potential discriminatory factors in the training data​.

Option A:“Experience-based testing should be used to confirm that the training data set is operationally relevant. This can include applying exploratory data analysis (EDA) to check for bias within the training data set.”

This is the correct answer. EDA involves examining the dataset for bias, inconsistencies, or missing values, ensuring fairness in ML model predictions​.

Option B:“Back-to-back testing should be used to compare the model created using the training data set to another model created using the test data set. If the two models significantly differ, it will indicate there is bias in the original model.”

Back-to-back testing is used for regression testing and to compare versions of an AI system but is not primarily used to detect bias​.

Option C:“Acceptance testing should be used to make sure the algorithm is suitable for the customer. The team can re-work the acceptance criteria such that the algorithm is sure to correctly predict the remaining applicants that have been set aside for the validation data set ensuring no bias is present.”

Acceptance testing focuses on meeting predefined business requirements rather than detecting and mitigating bias​.

Option D:“A/B testing should be used to verify that the test data set does not detect any bias that might have been introduced by the original training data. If the two models significantly differ, it will indicate there is bias in the original model.”

A/B testing is used for evaluating variations of a model rather than for explicitly identifying bias​.

Bias Testing Methods:"AI-based systems should be tested for algorithmic bias, sample bias, and inappropriate bias. Experience-based testing and EDA are useful for detecting bias"​.

Exploratory Data Analysis (EDA):"EDA helps uncover potential bias in training data through visualization and statistical analysis"​.

Analysis of the Answer Options:ISTQB CT-AI Syllabus References:Thus,Option A is the best choice for detecting bias in the loan applicant model.

A. The difficulty of defining criteria for improvement before the model can be accepted.

Defining criteria for improvement is a challenge in the acceptance of AI models, but it is not directly related to the performance drop in real-world scenarios. It relates more to the evaluation and deployment phase rather than affecting the model's real-time performance post-deployment.

B. The fast pace of change did not allow sufficient time for testing.

This can significantly affect the model's performance. If the system is self-learning, it needs to adapt quickly, and insufficient testing time can lead to incomplete learning and poor performance.

C. The unknown nature and insufficient specification of the operating environment might have caused the poor performance.

This is highly likely to affect performance. Self-learning AI systems require detailed specifications of the operating environment to adapt and learn effectively. If the environment is insufficiently specified, the model may fail to perform accurately in real-world scenarios.

D. There was an algorithmic bias in the AI system.

Algorithmic bias can significantly impact the performance of AI systems. If the model has biases, it will not perform well across different scenarios and data distributions.

Given the context of the self-learning nature and the need for real-time adaptability, optionAis least likely to describe the fall in performance because it deals with acceptance criteria rather than real-time performance issues​​.

 Type of Testing for Stock-Price Prediction Models:Concept drift refers to the change in the statistical properties of the target variable over time. Severe weather storms causing massive losses in coffee production and affecting stock prices would require testing for concept drift to ensure that the model adapts to new patterns in data over time.

 Reference:ISTQB_CT-AI_Syllabus_v1.0, Section 7.6 Testing for Concept Drift, which explains the need to test for concept drift in models that might be affected by changing external factors​​.

In AI-based systems, particularly those where theinternal structure has been generated by another software system, the complexity often makes it difficult for human testers to analyze the inner workings. As per the ISTQB Certified Tester AI Testing (CT-AI) Syllabus:

Black-box testingis particularly useful when dealing with AI systems that have been generated by another system because:

It allows testingwithout requiring knowledge of the internal logic.

The AI model may be too complex for human testers to comprehend, making white-box testing ineffective.

Black-box testing evaluates theinputs and outputs, ensuring functional correctnesswithout needing insight into how the system reaches a decision​.

Why other options are incorrect?

A (Test automation and black-box testing): While automation is possible,black-box testing is not primarily about automationbut aboutabstracting the internal complexity.

B (Understanding the logic of the software): This contradicts the premise of black-box testing, which is designed totest functionality without needing to understandthe inner workings.

C (Checking transparency of the algorithm):Black-box testing does not check algorithm transparency—that would requirewhite-box testing or explainability techniques​.

Thus, the best choice isOption D, as black-box testingremoves the need to analyze the internal structure of AI systems, making it the most appropriate testing method in this case.

Certified Tester AI Testing Study Guide References:

ISTQB CT-AI Syllabus v1.0, Section 8.5 (Challenges Testing Complex AI-Based Systems)

ISTQB CT-AI Syllabus v1.0, Section 8.6 (Testing the Transparency, Interpretability, and Explainability of AI-Based Systems)​