Explaining Bayesian Networks in Natural Language: State of the Art and Challenges

In order to increase trust in the usage of Bayesian networks and to cement their role as a model which can aid in critical decision making, the challenge of explainability must be faced. Previous attempts at explaining Bayesian networks have largely focused on graphical or visual aids. In this paper we aim to highlight the importance of a natural language approach to explanation and to discuss some of the previous and state of the art attempts of the textual explanation of Bayesian Networks. We outline several challenges that remain to be addressed in the generation and validation of natural language explanations of Bayesian Networks. This can serve as a re- search agenda for future work on natural language explanations of Bayesian Networks.