Exploring Causal Learning Through Graph Neural Networks : An In‐Depth Review

Simi JOB, Xiaohui TAO, Taotao CAI, Haoran XIE, Lin LI, Qing LI, Jianming YONG

Research output: Journal PublicationsJournal Article (refereed)peer-review

2 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

In machine learning, exploring data correlations to predict outcomes is a fundamental task. Recognizing causal relationships embedded within data is pivotal for a comprehensive understanding of system dynamics, the significance of which is paramount in data-driven decision-making processes. Beyond traditional methods, there has been a shift toward using graph neural networks (GNNs) for causal learning, given their capabilities as universal data approximators. Thus, a thorough review of the advancements in causal learning using GNNs is both relevant and timely. To structure this review, we introduce a novel taxonomy that encompasses various state-of-the-art GNN methods used in studying causality. GNNs are further categorized based on their applications in the causality domain. We further provide an exhaustive compilation of datasets integral to causal learning with GNNs to serve as a resource for practical study. This review also touches upon the application of causal learning across diverse sectors. We conclude the review with insights into potential challenges and promising avenues for future exploration in this rapidly evolving field of machine learning.
Original languageEnglish
Article numbere70024
JournalWIREs Data Mining and Knowledge Discovery
Volume15
Issue number2
Early online date19 May 2025
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jun 2025

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2025 The Author(s). WIREs Data Mining and Knowledge Discovery published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.

Funding

This work is supported by the SAGE Athena Swan Scholarship. Open access publishing facilitated by University of Southern Queensland, as part of the Wiley - University of Southern Queensland agreement via the Council of Australian University Librarians.

Keywords

  • GNNs
  • causal Learning
  • causality
  • graph neural networks

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