CT-AI Certified Tester AI Testing Exam Questions and Answers

Bias in an AI system occurs when the training data contains inherent prejudices that cause the model to make unfair predictions. Experience-based testing, particularlyExploratory Data Analysis (EDA), helps uncover these biases by analyzing patterns, distributions, and potential discriminatory factors in the training data​.

Option A:“Experience-based testing should be used to confirm that the training data set is operationally relevant. This can include applying exploratory data analysis (EDA) to check for bias within the training data set.”

This is the correct answer. EDA involves examining the dataset for bias, inconsistencies, or missing values, ensuring fairness in ML model predictions​.

Option B:“Back-to-back testing should be used to compare the model created using the training data set to another model created using the test data set. If the two models significantly differ, it will indicate there is bias in the original model.”

Back-to-back testing is used for regression testing and to compare versions of an AI system but is not primarily used to detect bias​.

Option C:“Acceptance testing should be used to make sure the algorithm is suitable for the customer. The team can re-work the acceptance criteria such that the algorithm is sure to correctly predict the remaining applicants that have been set aside for the validation data set ensuring no bias is present.”

Acceptance testing focuses on meeting predefined business requirements rather than detecting and mitigating bias​.

Option D:“A/B testing should be used to verify that the test data set does not detect any bias that might have been introduced by the original training data. If the two models significantly differ, it will indicate there is bias in the original model.”

A/B testing is used for evaluating variations of a model rather than for explicitly identifying bias​.

Bias Testing Methods:"AI-based systems should be tested for algorithmic bias, sample bias, and inappropriate bias. Experience-based testing and EDA are useful for detecting bias"​.

Exploratory Data Analysis (EDA):"EDA helps uncover potential bias in training data through visualization and statistical analysis"​.

Analysis of the Answer Options:ISTQB CT-AI Syllabus References:Thus,Option A is the best choice for detecting bias in the loan applicant model.

The question asks which deficiency is most likely to be discovered by the test expert given the scenario of poor real-world performance despite good isolated accuracy.

A lack of similarity between the training and testing data (A): This is a common issue in ML where the model performs well on training data but poorly on real-world data due to a lack of representativeness in the training data. This leads to poor generalization to new, unseen data.

The input data has not been tested for quality prior to use for testing (B): While data quality is important, this option is less likely to be the primary reason for the described issue compared to the representativeness of training data.

A lack of focus on choosing the right functional-performance metrics (C): Proper metrics are crucial, but the issue described seems more related to the data mismatch rather than metric selection.

A lack of focus on non-functional requirements testing (D): Non-functional requirements are important, but the scenario specifically mentions issues with detecting real cancer cases, pointing more towards data issues.

References:

ISTQB CT-AI Syllabus Section 4.2 on Training, Validation, and Test Datasets emphasizes the importance of using representative datasets to ensure the model generalizes well to real-world data.

Sample Exam Questions document, Question #40 addresses issues related to data representativeness and model generalization.

AI-based systems oftenexhibit non-deterministic behavior, meaning theydo not always produce the same output for the same input. This makesensuring safety more difficult, as the system's behavior can change based on new data, environmental factors, or updates​.

Why Non-determinism Affects Safety:

In traditional software, the same input always produces the same output.

In AI systems, outputsvary probabilisticallydepending on learned patterns and weights.

This unpredictability makes itharder to verify correctness, reliability, and safety, especially in critical domains likeautonomous vehicles, medical AI, and industrial automation.

A (Simplicity):AI-based systems are typicallycomplex, not simple, which contributes to safety challenges​.

B (Sustainability):While sustainability is an important AI consideration, it doesnot directly affect safety​.

D (Robustness):Lack of robustnesscan make AI systems unsafe, butnon-determinism is the primary issuethat complicates safety verification​.

ISTQB CT-AI Syllabus (Section 2.8: Safety and AI)

"The characteristics of AI-based systems that make it more difficult to ensure they are safe include: complexity, non-determinism, probabilistic nature, self-learning, lack of transparency, interpretability and explainability, lack of robustness"​.

Why Other Options Are Incorrect:Supporting References from ISTQB Certified Tester AI Testing Study Guide:Conclusion:Sincenon-determinism makes AI behavior unpredictable, complicating safety assurance, thecorrect answer is C.

Detecting biases in the ML pipeline involves various tests to ensure fairness and accuracy throughout the ML process.

Testing the distribution shift in the training data for inappropriate bias (A): This involves checking if there is any shift in the data distribution that could lead to bias in the model. It is an important test but not the most direct method for detecting biases.

Test the model during model evaluation for data bias (B): This is a critical stage where the model is evaluated to detect any biases in the data it was trained on. It directly addresses potential data biases in the model.

Testing the data pipeline for any sources for algorithmic bias (C): This test is crucial as it helps identify biases that may originate from the data processing and transformation stages within the pipeline. Detecting sources of algorithmic bias ensures that the model does not inherit biases from these processes.

Check the input test data for potential sample bias (D): While this is an important step, it focuses more on the input data and less on the overall data pipeline.

Hence, the most likely useful test to help detect different kinds of biases in the ML pipeline isB. Test the model during model evaluation for data bias.

References:

ISTQB CT-AI Syllabus Section 8.3 on Testing for Algorithmic, Sample, and Inappropriate Bias discusses various tests that can be performed to detect biases at different stages of the ML pipeline.

Sample Exam Questions document, Question #32 highlights the importance of evaluating the model for biases.

The problem described in the question is a classic case ofconcept drift. Concept drift occurs when the relationship between input variables and the output variable changes over time, leading to a decline in model accuracy​.

In this scenario, theaverage passenger and baggage weightsused in the model changed due to seasonal variations, but the model was not updated accordingly. This resulted in inaccurate predictions for fuel requirements in the winter season. This is an example ofseasonal drift, where model behavior changes periodically due to recurring trends (e.g., higher luggage weights in winter compared to summer).

To prevent such problems:

Themodel should be regularly testedfor concept drift against agreed ML functional performance criteria​.

Exploratory Data Analysis (EDA)should be performed periodically to detect gradual changes in input distributions.

Retraining of the modelwith updated training data should be done to maintain accuracy.

If drift is detected, mitigation techniques such asincremental learning, retraining with new data, or adjusting model parametersshould be employed.

Option B (Easing the performance standard instead of addressing drift): Lowering the performance standard is not a solution; it only masks the problem without fixing it. Instead, regular testing and retraining should be used to handle drift properly​.

Option C (Corruption and reloading the model): Model corruption is unrelated to this issue. Corruption refers to accidental or malicious damage to the model or data, whereas this case is due to a changing data environment​.

Option D (Lack of transparency): Transparency refers to how understandable the model’s decisions are, but the problem here is a change in data distributions, making drift the primary concern​.

ISTQB CT-AI Syllabus (Section 7.6: Testing for Concept Drift)

"The operational environment can change over time without the trained model changing correspondingly. This phenomenon is known as concept drift and typically causes the outputs of the model to become increasingly less accurate and less useful."​

"Systems that may be prone to concept drift should be regularly tested against their agreed ML functional performance criteria to ensure that any occurrences of concept drift are detected soon enough for the problem to be mitigated."​

ISTQB CT-AI Syllabus (Section 7.7: Selecting a Test Approach for an ML System)

"If concept drift is detected, it may be mitigated by retraining the system with up-to-date training data followed by confirmation testing, regression testing, and possibly A/B testing where the updated system must outperform the original system."​

Why Other Options Are Incorrect:Supporting References from ISTQB Certified Tester AI Testing Study Guide:Conclusion:Since the question describes a situation whereseasonal variations affected input data distributions, the correct answer isA: The model suffers from drift and therefore should be regularly tested to ensure that any occurrences of drift are detected soon enough for the problem to be mitigated.

 Challenges for Acquiring Test Data in ML Systems:Compliance needs, the changing nature of data over time, and sourcing data from public sources are significant challenges. Data being generated quickly is generally not a challenge; it can actually be beneficial as it provides more data for training and testing.

 Reference:ISTQB_CT-AI_Syllabus_v1.0, Sections on Data Preparation and Data Quality Issues​​​​.

A major risk when using apre-trained neural networkfor logo detection is that it mayinherit biases and defectsfrom the original dataset and training process. This means that the model could misidentify or fail to recognize certain logos due to:

Differences in data preparation:The original training data may have used a different preprocessing method than the new dataset, leading to inconsistencies.

Limited transparency:The exact details of the dataset and biases within it may not be known, which can cause unexpected behavior.

Bias in logo detection:If the model was trained on a dataset with certain color or text preferences, it may disproportionately misidentify logos with similar characteristics.

This inherited bias can result in:

False Positives:Recognizing other brand logos as the beer company's logo.

False Negatives:Failing to detect the actual logo when variations occur (e.g., different lighting or partial visibility).

Algorithmic Bias:The model may favor certain shapes or color contrasts due to biased training data.

Thus,the most appropriate risk associated with using this pre-trained model is inherited bias.

Section 1.8.3 - Risks of Using Pre-Trained Models and Transfer Learningexplains how pre-trained models may inheritbiases and undocumented defectsthat affect performance in a new environment​.

Reference from ISTQB Certified Tester AI Testing Study Guide:

 Factors Affecting ML Functional Performance:The data pipeline, quality of the labeling, and biased data are all factors that significantly affect the performance of machine learning models. The number of classes, while relevant for the model structure, is not a direct factor affecting the performance metrics such as accuracy or bias.

 Reference:ISTQB_CT-AI_Syllabus_v1.0, Sections on Data Quality and its Effect on the ML Model and ML Functional Performance Metrics​​​​.

A. Identifying suitable tests by looking at the complexity of the test cases.

While complexity analysis can help in selecting important test cases, it does not directly address the issue of optimizing the entire regression suite effectively.

B. Using a random subset of tests.

Randomly selecting test cases may miss critical tests and does not ensure an optimized regression suite. This approach lacks a systematic method for ensuring comprehensive coverage.

C. Automating test scripts using AI-based test automation tools.

Automation helps in running tests efficiently but does not inherently optimize the selection of tests to prevent the suite from growing too large.

D. Using an AI-based tool to optimize the regression test suite by analyzing past test results.

This is the most effective approach as AI-based tools can analyze historical test data, identify patterns, and prioritize tests that are more likely to catch defects based on past results. This method ensures an optimized and manageable regression test suite by focusing on the most impactful test cases.

Therefore, the correct answer isDbecause using an AI-based tool to analyze past test results is the best option to optimize regression test selection and manage the size of the regression suite effectively​​.

Exploratory Data Analysis (EDA) is an essential technique for examining datasets to uncover patterns, trends, and anomalies, including outliers. In this case, the attacker manipulates the spam filter by injecting emails with red flags and masking them as internal company emails. The primary goal of EDA here is to detect these adversarial modifications.

Detecting Outliers:

EDA techniques such as statistical analysis, clustering, and visualization can reveal patterns in email metadata (e.g., sender details, email content, frequency).

Outlier detection methods like Z-score, IQR (Interquartile Range), or machine learning-based anomaly detection can identify emails that significantly deviate from typical internal communications.

Identifying Distribution Shifts:

By analyzing the frequency and characteristics of emails flagged as spam, testers can detect if the attack has introduced unusual patterns.

If a surge of internal emails is suddenly classified as spam, EDA can help verify whether these classifications are consistent with historical data.

Feature Analysis for Adversarial Patterns:

EDA enables visualization techniques such as scatter plots or histograms to distinguish normal emails from manipulated ones.

Examining email metadata (e.g., changes in headers, unusual wording in email bodies) can reveal adversarial tactics.

Counteracting Adversarial Attacks:

Once anomalies are identified, the spam filter’s detection rules can be improved by retraining the model on corrected datasets.

The adversarial examples can be added to the training data to enhance the robustness of the filter against future attacks.

Exploratory Data Analysis (EDA) is used to detect outliers and adversarial attacks."EDA is where data are examined for patterns, relationships, trends, and outliers. It involves the interactive, hypothesis-driven exploration of data."​

EDA can identify poisoned or manipulated data by detecting anomalies and distribution shifts."Testing to detect data poisoning is possible using EDA, as poisoned data may show up as outliers."​

EDA helps validate ML models and detect potential vulnerabilities."The use of exploratory techniques, primarily driven by data visualization, can help validate the ML algorithm being used, identify changes that result in efficient models, and leverage domain expertise."​

References from ISTQB Certified Tester AI Testing Study GuideThus,option A is the correct answer, as EDA is specifically useful for detecting outliers, which can help identify manipulated spam emails.

To calculate the accuracy, recall, and specificity from the confusion matrix provided, we use the following formulas:

Confusion Matrix:

Actually Rotten: 45 (True Positive), 8 (False Positive)

Actually Fresh: 5 (False Negative), 42 (True Negative)

Accuracy:

Accuracy is the proportion of true results (both true positives and true negatives) in the total population.

Formula: Accuracy=TP+TNTP+TN+FP+FN\text{Accuracy} = \frac{TP + TN}{TP + TN + FP + FN}Accuracy=TP+TN+FP+FNTP+TN​

Calculation: Accuracy=45+4245+42+8+5=87100=0.87\text{Accuracy} = \frac{45 + 42}{45 + 42 + 8 + 5} = \frac{87}{100} = 0.87Accuracy=45+42+8+545+42​=10087​=0.87

Recall (Sensitivity):

Recall is the proportion of true positive results in the total actual positives.

Formula: Recall=TPTP+FN\text{Recall} = \frac{TP}{TP + FN}Recall=TP+FNTP​

Calculation: Recall=4545+5=4550=0.9\text{Recall} = \frac{45}{45 + 5} = \frac{45}{50} = 0.9Recall=45+545​=5045​=0.9

Specificity:

Specificity is the proportion of true negative results in the total actual negatives.

Formula: Specificity=TNTN+FP\text{Specificity} = \frac{TN}{TN + FP}Specificity=TN+FPTN​

Calculation: Specificity=4242+8=4250=0.84\text{Specificity} = \frac{42}{42 + 8} = \frac{42}{50} = 0.84Specificity=42+842​=5042​=0.84

Therefore, the correct combinations of accuracy, recall, and specificity are 0.87, 0.9, and 0.84 respectively.

References:

ISTQB CT-AI Syllabus, Section 5.1, Confusion Matrix, provides detailed formulas and explanations for calculating various metrics including accuracy, recall, and specificity.

"ML Functional Performance Metrics" (ISTQB CT-AI Syllabus, Section 5).

The question asks which characteristic is least likely to cause safety-related issues for an AI system. Let's evaluate each option:

Non-determinism (A): Non-deterministic systems can produce different outcomes even with the same inputs, which can lead to unpredictable behavior and potential safety issues.

Robustness (B): Robustness refers to the ability of the system to handle errors, anomalies, and unexpected inputs gracefully. A robust system is less likely to cause safety issues because it can maintain functionality under varied conditions.

High complexity (C): High complexity in AI systems can lead to difficulties in understanding, predicting, and managing the system's behavior, which can cause safety-related issues.

Self-learning (D): Self-learning systems adapt based on new data, which can lead to unexpected changes in behavior. If not properly monitored and controlled, this can result in safety issues.

References:

ISTQB CT-AI Syllabus Section 2.8 on Safety and AI discusses various factors affecting the safety of AI systems, emphasizing the importance of robustness in maintaining safe operation.

A/B testing is a statistical testing method that compares two different versions of a system to determine which one performs better. In this scenario, theold NLP algorithmwas rated for accuracy, and after the update, thenew algorithmwas also rated by users. A statistical test was performed to compare the two versions, which is the fundamental approach ofA/B testing.

A/B testing is commonly used in:

User experience testing(e.g., comparing different versions of a website).

ML model evaluation(e.g., comparing two AI-based classifiers).

Performance assessment(e.g., determining if a new recommendation algorithm is more effective).

This approach allows for data-driven decisions, ensuring that any changes to the system result in meaningful improvements.

Section 9.4 - A/B Testingstates that A/B testing is used to compare updates in AI-based systems to determine if the newer version is better​.

Reference from ISTQB Certified Tester AI Testing Study Guide:

AI-based tools can significantly optimize regression test suites by analyzing historical data, past test results, associated defects, and changes made to the software. These tools prioritize and select the most relevant test cases based on previous defect patterns and frequently failing features, which helps in reducing the test execution time while maintaining effectiveness.

The optimization process involves:

Prioritizing test cases:AI-based tools rank test cases based on past defect detection trends, ensuring that the most relevant tests are executed first.

Reducing redundant test cases:The tool can eliminate test cases that do not contribute significantly to defect detection, reducing overall test execution time.

Augmenting test cases:The AI can also suggest new test cases if certain features are more prone to defects.

This approach has been proven to reduce regression test suite sizes by up to 50% while maintaining fault detection capabilities​.

Section 11.4 - Using AI for the Optimization of Regression Test Suitesstates that AI-based tools can optimize regression test suites by analyzing past test data and defect occurrences, leading to significant reductions in test execution time​.

Reference from ISTQB Certified Tester AI Testing Study Guide:

Prevalence Rate and Model Performance:

The cancer detection system being developed by "Splendid Healthcare" needs to account for the fact that the type of cancer has a 2% prevalence rate in the population. This indicates that the dataset is highly imbalanced with far fewer positive (cancer) cases compared to negative (normal) cases.

Importance of Recall:

Recall, also known as sensitivity or true positive rate, measures the proportion of actual positive cases that are correctly identified by the model. In medical diagnosis, especially cancer detection, recall is critical because missing a positive case (false negative) could have severe consequences for the patient. Therefore, maximizing recall ensures that most, if not all, cancer cases are detected.

Importance of Precision:

Precision measures the proportion of predicted positive cases that are actually positive. High precision reduces the number of false positives, meaning fewer people will be incorrectly diagnosed with cancer. This is also important to avoid unnecessary anxiety and further invasive testing for those who do not have the disease.

Balancing Recall and Precision:

In scenarios where both false negatives and false positives have significant consequences, it is crucial to balance recall and precision. This balance ensures that the model is not only good at detecting positive cases but also accurate in its predictions, reducing both types of errors.

Accuracy and Specificity:

While accuracy (the proportion of total correct predictions) is important, it can be misleading in imbalanced datasets. In this case, high accuracy could simply result from the model predicting the majority class (normal) correctly. Specificity (true negative rate) is also important, but for a cancer detection system, recall and precision take precedence to ensure positive cases are correctly and accurately identified.

Conclusion:

Therefore, for a cancer detection system with a low prevalence rate, maximizing both recall and precision is crucial to ensure effective and accurate detection of cancer cases.

A. This is an example of expert system bias.

Expert system bias refers to bias introduced by the rules or logic defined by experts in the system, not by the data distribution.

B. This is an example of sample bias.

Sample bias occurs when the training data is not representative of the overall population that the model will encounter in practice. In this case, the over-representation of ethnicity A (70%) compared to B, C, and D (30%) creates a sample bias, as the model may become biased towards better performance on ethnicity A.

C. This is an example of hyperparameter bias.

Hyperparameter bias relates to the settings and configurations used during the training process, not the data distribution itself.

D. This is an example of algorithmic bias.

Algorithmic bias refers to biases introduced by the algorithmic processes and decision-making rules, not directly by the distribution of training data.

Based on the provided information, optionB(sample bias) best describes the situation because the training data is skewed towards ethnicity A, potentially leading to biased model performance​​.

Narrow AI (also known as Weak AI) is designed to perform specific tasks without possessing general intelligence or consciousness. The AI system in the question is capable of recognizing speech and responding to specific booking-related requests but fails when asked about unrelated topics (such as weather or labor markets)​.

Option A:“General AI”

Incorrect. General AI (AGI) refers to an AI system that can perform any intellectual task a human can. The described system is task-specific and does not exhibit general intelligence​.

Option B:“Narrow AI”

Correct. The AI system is limited to a predefined domain (ticket booking) and cannot process unrelated questions. This is characteristic of Narrow AI, which excels at specific tasks but lacks broader cognitive abilities​.

Option C:“Super AI”

Incorrect. Super AI surpasses human intelligence, exhibiting advanced reasoning and creativity. The AI in the scenario is far from this level​.

Option D:“Conventional AI”

Incorrect. Conventional AI is a broader term that may include rule-based systems. The described system relies on machine learning and natural language processing, making it more aligned with Narrow AI​.

Definition of Narrow AI:"Narrow AI refers to AI systems that are designed to perform a single task or a limited set of tasks, without general intelligence"​.

General vs. Narrow AI:"General AI remains an area of research, while most current AI applications fall into the category of Narrow AI"​.

Analysis of the Answer Options:ISTQB CT-AI Syllabus References:Thus,option B is the correct categorization for the AI-based ticket booking system.

Data mislabeling occurs for several reasons, which can significantly impact the performance of machine learning (ML) models, especially in supervised learning. According to the ISTQB Certified Tester AI Testing (CT-AI) syllabus, mislabeling of data can be caused by the following factors:

Random errors by annotators– Mistakes made due to accidental misclassification.

Systemic errors– Errors introduced by incorrect labeling instructions or poor training of annotators.

Deliberate errors– Errors introduced intentionally by malicious data annotators.

Translation errors– Occur when correctly labeled data in one language is incorrectly translated into another language.

Subjectivity in labeling– Some labeling tasks require subjective judgment, leading to inconsistencies between different annotators.

Lack of domain knowledge– If annotators do not have sufficient expertise in the domain, they may label data incorrectly due to misunderstanding the context.

Complex classification tasks– The more complex the task, the higher the probability of labeling mistakes​.

Among the answer choices provided, "Lack of domain knowledge" (Option A) is the best answer because expertise is essential to accurately labeling data in complex domains such as medical, legal, or engineering fields.

Certified Tester AI Testing Study Guide References:

ISTQB CT-AI Syllabus v1.0, Section 4.5.2 (Mislabeled Data in Datasets)

ISTQB CT-AI Syllabus v1.0, Section 4.3 (Dataset Quality Issues)

A/B testing, also known as split testing, is a method used to compare two versions of a product or system to determine which one performs better. It is widely used in web development, marketing, and machine learning to optimize user experiences and model performance. Here’s why option C is the least descriptive of an A/B testing scenario:

Understanding A/B Testing:

In A/B testing, two versions (A and B) of a system or feature are tested against each other. The objective is to measure which version performs better based on predefined metrics such as user engagement, conversion rates, or other performance indicators.

Application in Machine Learning:

In ML systems, A/B testing might involve comparing two different models, algorithms, or system configurations on the same set of data to observe which yields better results.

Why Option C is the Least Descriptive:

Option C describes comparing the performance of an ML system on two different input datasets. This scenario focuses on the input data variation rather than the comparison of system versions or features, which is the essence of A/B testing. A/B testing typically involves a controlled experiment with two versions being tested under the same conditions, not different datasets.

Clarifying the Other Options:

A. A comparison of two different websites for the same company to observe from a user acceptance perspective: This is a classic example of A/B testing where two versions of a website are compared.

B. A comparison of two different offers in a recommendation system to decide on the more effective offer for the same users: This is another example of A/B testing in a recommendation system.

D. A comparison of the performance of two different ML implementations on the same input data: This fits the A/B testing model where two implementations are compared under the same conditions.

References:

ISTQB CT-AI Syllabus, Section 9.4, A/B Testing, explains the methodology and application of A/B testing in various contexts.

"Understanding A/B Testing" (ISTQB CT-AI Syllabus).

A. The difficulty of defining criteria for improvement before the model can be accepted.

Defining criteria for improvement is a challenge in the acceptance of AI models, but it is not directly related to the performance drop in real-world scenarios. It relates more to the evaluation and deployment phase rather than affecting the model's real-time performance post-deployment.

B. The fast pace of change did not allow sufficient time for testing.

This can significantly affect the model's performance. If the system is self-learning, it needs to adapt quickly, and insufficient testing time can lead to incomplete learning and poor performance.

C. The unknown nature and insufficient specification of the operating environment might have caused the poor performance.

This is highly likely to affect performance. Self-learning AI systems require detailed specifications of the operating environment to adapt and learn effectively. If the environment is insufficiently specified, the model may fail to perform accurately in real-world scenarios.

D. There was an algorithmic bias in the AI system.

Algorithmic bias can significantly impact the performance of AI systems. If the model has biases, it will not perform well across different scenarios and data distributions.

Given the context of the self-learning nature and the need for real-time adaptability, optionAis least likely to describe the fall in performance because it deals with acceptance criteria rather than real-time performance issues​​.

Pairwise testing is used to handle the large number of combinations of parameters that can arise in complex systems like self-driving cars. The question asks which of the given options isleast likelyto be a reason for the explosion in the number of parameters.

Different Road Types (A): Self-driving cars must operate on various road types, such as highways, city streets, rural roads, etc. Each road type can have different characteristics, requiring the car's system to adapt and handle different scenarios. Thus, this is a significant factor contributing to the growth of parameters.

Different Weather Conditions (B): Weather conditions such as rain, snow, fog, and bright sunlight significantly affect the performance of self-driving cars. The car's sensors and algorithms must adapt to these varying conditions, which adds to the number of parameters that need to be considered.

ML Model Metrics to Evaluate Functional Performance (C): While evaluating machine learning (ML) model performance is crucial, it does not directly contribute to the explosion of parameter combinations in the same way that road types, weather conditions, and car features do. Metrics are used to measure and assess performance but are not themselves variable conditions that the system must handle.

Different Features like ADAS, Lane Change Assistance, etc. (D): Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and other features add complexity to self-driving cars. Each feature can have multiple settings and operational modes, contributing to the overall number of parameters.

Hence, theleast likelyreason for the incredible growth in the number of parameters isC. ML model metrics to evaluate the functional performance.

References:

ISTQB CT-AI Syllabus Section 9.2 on Pairwise Testing discusses the application of this technique to manage the combinations of different variables in AI-based systems, including those used in self-driving cars.

Sample Exam Questions document, Question #29 provides context for the explosion in parameter combinations in self-driving cars and highlights the use of pairwise testing as a method to manage this complexity.