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Enterprise AI Analysis: Explainable machine learning-based classification of traditional Korean ceramics using XRF chemical composition data

Enterprise AI Analysis

Explainable machine learning-based classification of traditional Korean ceramics using XRF chemical composition data

This analysis details an explainable machine learning framework applied to classify traditional Korean ceramics—celadon, buncheong, and white porcelain—based on XRF chemical composition. Leveraging a curated dataset of 624 samples, our models achieved up to 95.8% classification accuracy. Critical insights were derived on material characteristics, enhancing traditional typological methods with a quantitative, data-driven framework.

Executive Impact: Key Findings at a Glance

Our explainable AI approach delivers robust performance and actionable insights for cultural heritage classification, offering a blueprint for broader enterprise applications in materials science and beyond.

0 Classification Accuracy (RF & XGB)
0 Highest Precision Achieved
0 Highest Recall Achieved
0 Samples Analyzed

Deep Analysis & Enterprise Applications

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The study rigorously evaluated six machine learning algorithms for classifying Korean ceramics. Tree-based models, specifically Random Forest (RF) and Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGB), achieved the highest classification accuracy of 95.8% on the test set. Other models like SVM also performed strongly at 93.3%. A key finding was the consistent and high accuracy in identifying white porcelain, while celadon and buncheong showed partial misclassification due to their overlapping chemical characteristics. McNemar's test confirmed the statistical significance of the superior performance of ensemble models over simpler linear models like PCA-LDA.

Through Shapley Additive Explanations (SHAP), the analysis identified Fe2O3 and TiO2 as the most influential chemical components for differentiating ceramic types. This aligns well with established ceramic coloration mechanisms. Low concentrations of these oxides were critical for white porcelain, while intermediate to high levels contributed to the distinct hues of celadon and buncheong. PCA scatter plots visually confirmed that white porcelain forms a distinct cluster, whereas celadon and buncheong compositions substantially overlap, reflecting their material and technological continuities.

A curated dataset of 624 traditional Korean ceramic samples (201 celadon, 212 buncheong, 211 white porcelain) was compiled from peer-reviewed XRF chemical composition data (10 major elemental oxides). Data preprocessing included filtering, normalization to 100 wt%, and Centered Log-Ratio (CLR) transformation for distance-based models. Model selection involved six classical ML algorithms (PCA-LDA, DT, RF, XGB, KNN, SVM) with rigorous hyperparameter tuning via stratified ten-fold cross-validation and grid/random search. Performance was assessed through accuracy, precision, recall, F1-scores, and external validation on an independent dataset (59 samples) to ensure generalizability.

95.8% Classification Accuracy Achieved by Tree-Based Models (RF, XGB)

Enterprise Process Flow

Data Compilation & Filtering (XRF)
Data Normalization (CLR)
Model Selection & Hyperparameter Tuning
Internal Validation (Train/Test)
External Validation
SHAP Explainability Analysis

Explainable ML vs. Traditional Classification

Feature Explainable ML Approach Traditional Typological Approach
Classification Basis
  • XRF Chemical Composition Data
  • Data-driven algorithms
  • Visual Observation
  • Expert Judgment
Objectivity
  • Quantitatively objective
  • Minimizes subjective bias
  • Qualitative, can be subjective
  • Relies on human interpretation
Interpretability
  • SHAP identifies key elemental influences (e.g., Fe2O3, TiO2)
  • Provides quantitative feature contributions
  • Implicit expert knowledge
  • Interpretation based on experience and historical context
Handling Variability
  • Robust to subtle chemical variations
  • Identifies complex patterns
  • Challenged by broad variations within types
  • Complicated by atypical characteristics

Insights on Korean Ceramic Classification

White porcelain was accurately identified across all models due to its distinct chemical composition, characterized by minimal amounts of coloring oxides. This purity reflects specific production techniques and raw material selection.

In contrast, Celadon and Buncheong showed partial misclassification. This is attributed to their overlapping chemical characteristics, including similarities in raw materials and firing conditions (e.g., temperatures exceeding 1200°C), and historical production continuity. This highlights the nuanced relationship between these ceramic types.

Fe2O3 and TiO2 were consistently identified as the most influential components for type differentiation through SHAP analysis, aligning with established ceramic coloration mechanisms. These oxides play a crucial role in the greenish hue of celadon and the brownish tones of buncheong, making them key discriminators.

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Your AI Implementation Roadmap

A typical phased approach to integrate advanced AI solutions into your enterprise workflow, ensuring a smooth transition and measurable impact.

Phase 1: Discovery & Strategy

Conduct a deep dive into existing data, infrastructure, and business goals. Define clear objectives and a tailored AI strategy based on your unique needs and the insights from this analysis.

Phase 2: Data Engineering & Model Development

Prepare and clean your proprietary datasets. Develop and train custom AI models, leveraging techniques like explainable ML to ensure transparency and trust in predictions.

Phase 3: Integration & Deployment

Seamlessly integrate the AI solution into your existing systems. Deploy models into a production environment, ensuring scalability, security, and real-time performance.

Phase 4: Monitoring & Optimization

Continuously monitor model performance, gather feedback, and iterate on improvements. Ensure the AI system evolves with your business, delivering sustained value and impact.

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