Causal Inference¶
Moving beyond correlation to cause — the tools for asking 'what if?' and 'why?', not just 'what is likely?'.
Causal Inference is one of the core areas in the AI University map of AI. Explore the diagram, then dive into each topic — every subtopic grows into its own deep-dive over time.
flowchart LR
OBS[/Observed data/] --> ASSUME[Causal graph<br/>assumptions] --> ID{Identifiable?}
ID -->|yes| EST[Estimate effect] --> ACT[/Decision/]
ID -->|no| EXP[Run experiment] --> EST
Key topics¶
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Correlation vs causation
Why predictive accuracy alone isn't enough for decisions and interventions.
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Causal graphs & do-calculus
Representing assumptions as DAGs and reasoning about interventions.
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Counterfactuals
Estimating what would have happened under a different action.
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Experiments & A/B testing
Randomized trials — the gold standard for causal claims.
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Observational methods
Instrumental variables, matching, and difference-in-differences when you can't experiment.
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Uplift modeling
Predicting the effect of an action per individual — who to treat, not just who will convert.
Related areas¶
Machine Learning · Data & MLOps · Recommender Systems
Learn this properly
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