The Black Box Paradox: AI Models and the Epistemological Crisis in Motor Control Research

Abstract

The widespread adoption of deep learning (DL) models in neuroscience research has introduced a fundamental epistemological paradox: while these models demonstrate remarkable performance in pattern recognition and prediction tasks, their inherent opacity contradicts neuroscience’s foundational goal of understanding biological mechanisms. This review article examines the growing trend of using DL models to interpret neural dynamics and extract insights about brain function, arguing that the black box nature of these models fundamentally undermines their utility for mechanistic understanding. We explore the distinction between computational performance and scientific explanation, analyze the limitations of current interpretability techniques, and discuss the implications for neuroscience research methodology. We propose that the field must critically evaluate whether DL models can genuinely contribute to our understanding of neural processes or whether they merely provide sophisticated curve-fitting tools that obscure rather than illuminate the underlying biology.