Where developmental toxicity meets explainable artificial intelligence: state-of-the-art and perspectives

The application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to predictive toxicology is rapidly increasing, particularly aiming to develop non-testing methods that effectively address ethical concerns and reduce economic costs. In this context, Developmental Toxicity (Dev Tox) stands as a key human health endpoint, especially significant for safeguarding maternal and child well-being.

This review outlines the existing methods employed in Dev Tox predictions and underscores the benefits of utilizing New Approach Methodologies (NAMs), specifically focusing on eXplainable Artificial Intelligence (XAI), which proves highly efficient in constructing reliable and transparent models aligned with recommendations from international regulatory bodies.

The limited availability of high-quality data and the absence of dependable Dev Tox methodologies render XAI an appealing avenue for systematically developing interpretable and transparent models, which hold immense potential for both scientific evaluations and regulatory decision-making.