Master's thesis in Data & AI: Explainability for Deep Learning-Based Image Segmentation

Image segmentation refers to the detection and isolation of specific objects or regions of interest in an image. It can help to accurately extract the information that is relevant in an image, to use it for different purposes or even feed it to other models e.g. human action recognition, object tracking, background removal. When automated, image segmentation can be a powerful tool for several fields and applications, such as medical image processing, autonomous driving, agriculture, or video surveillance.

Image segmentation has typically been used in combination with (prior) object detection. Most state-of-the-art object detection and segmentation techniques are based on deep neural networks, which are black boxes by nature. While there has been relatively extensive research on explainable AI (XAI) techniques for object detection, there is little to no research available(1) for XAI applied to object segmentation.

Assignment

Having explainable state-of-the-art object segmentation would be extremely useful for many applications, especially those where high performance is critical but are subject to strict transparency regulations, such as those belonging to the medical field. Providing these sorts of explanations would be useful not only for regulation compliance and user confidence, but also for finding weak spots in segmentation models and eventually improving them.

The goal of this project would be to investigate the possibilities of XAI techniques applied to image segmentation, and come up with a novel XAI method for this purpose.

(1) An example of recent available research are these explainable medical image segmentation models: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/9761664 & https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0010482522009398. However, while the explanations seem to be stable, the performance is not up to par with the state-of-the-art (plus the model is application-specific)

About Info Support Research Center

We anticipate on upcoming and future challenges and ensures our engineers develop cutting-edge solutions based on the latest scientific insights. Our research community proactively tackles emerging technologies. We do this in cooperation with renowned scientists, making sure that research teams are positioned and embedded throughout our organisation and our community, so that their insights are directly applied to our business. We truly believe in sharing knowledge, so we want to do this without any restrictions.

Read more about Info Support Research here.

What does Info Support offer you during your graduation period?

Of course, we offer you an excellent package of graduation conditions with various options. These include:

• Laptop, all necessary tools, and development environments to successfully carry out your assignment
• A graduation allowance, where you have the choice of:
  • € 1000 gross per month
  • € 500 gross per month + lease car with fuel card
  • € 600 gross per month + accommodation in Veenendaal

During your graduation internship, you will be included in one of our business units and in our Research Center. This will give you a good understanding of the developments within our projects and our research projects.

In addition, Info Support offers you:

• A challenging master’s thesis at a solid, growing, and financially healthy company
• Professional and experienced guidance, hybrid working
• A graduation program with, among other things, training sessions, knowledge evenings, project visits, activities, and team, unit, and company outings
• Experimentation with new products and releases that are in the pre-release phase
• Brainstorming with other graduates and IT colleagues who are collegial and passionate
• Potential for a permanent position in our IT Top Traineeship program!

About Info Support

Info Support specializes in custom software, data/AI solutions, management, and training and is active in the Finance, Industry, Agriculture, Food & Retail, Mobility & Public, and Healthcare sectors. We provide solid and innovative solutions for complex and critical software issues. Our headquarters are located in Veenendaal (NL) and Mechelen (BE). At present, approximately 500 employees are employed by Info Support.

Info Support’s working method is characterized by a number of core values: solidity, integrity, craftsmanship, and passion. These core values are intertwined in our work and the way we interact with each other. This year, we were also named a Top Employer in the Netherlands!

To ensure that all employees are always up to date with the latest developments, Info Support has an in-house knowledge center that eagerly satisfies the hunger for more or different knowledge and skills.

B2 language proficiency in Dutch is required.