# Framework GNN-AID: Graph Neural Network Analysis Interpretation and Defense

arXiv: https://arxiv.org/abs/2505.03424 · HTML: https://mlsanity.com/paper/2505.03424/

## Key facts

- No citing papers in the map yet (data through 14 Oct 2026).
- Builds on 33 of its 47 references that are in the map.
- First posted on arXiv 6 May 2025.

## Builds on (most cited first, 30 of 33)

- [Semi-Supervised Classification with Graph Convolutional Networks](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1609.02907/) (2016)
- [Graph Attention Networks](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1710.10903/) (2017)
- [Explaining and Harnessing Adversarial Examples](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1412.6572/) (2014)
- [Towards Deep Learning Models Resistant to Adversarial Attacks](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1706.06083/) (2017)
- [Inductive Representation Learning on Large Graphs](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1706.02216/) (2017)
- [How Powerful are Graph Neural Networks?](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1810.00826/) (2018)
- [Fast Graph Representation Learning with PyTorch Geometric](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1903.02428/) (2019)
- [GNNExplainer: Generating Explanations for Graph Neural Networks](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1903.03894/) (2019)
- [Countering Adversarial Images using Input Transformations](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1711.00117/) (2017)
- [Parameterized Explainer for Graph Neural Network](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2011.04573/) (2020)
- [Adversarial Attacks on Neural Networks for Graph Data](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1805.07984/) (2018)
- [On Explainability of Graph Neural Networks via Subgraph Explorations](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2102.05152/) (2021)
- [Adversarial Attacks on Graph Neural Networks via Meta Learning](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1902.08412/) (2019)
- [InterpretML: A Unified Framework for Machine Learning Interpretability](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1909.09223/) (2019)
- [A Survey on the Explainability of Supervised Machine Learning](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2011.07876/) (2020)
- [Adversarial Robustness Toolbox v1.0.0](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1807.01069/) (2018)
- [PGM-Explainer: Probabilistic Graphical Model Explanations for Graph Neural Networks](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2010.05788/) (2020)
- [Topology Attack and Defense for Graph Neural Networks: An Optimization Perspective](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1906.04214/) (2019)
- [GNNGuard: Defending Graph Neural Networks against Adversarial Attacks](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2006.08149/) (2020)
- [Interpreting Graph Neural Networks for NLP With Differentiable Edge Masking](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2010.00577/) (2020)
- [ProtGNN: Towards Self-Explaining Graph Neural Networks](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2112.00911/) (2021)
- [DeepRobust: A PyTorch Library for Adversarial Attacks and Defenses](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2005.06149/) (2020)
- [DIG: A Turnkey Library for Diving into Graph Deep Learning Research](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2103.12608/) (2021)
- [I Know What You Trained Last Summer: A Survey on Stealing Machine Learning Models and Defences](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2206.08451/) (2022)
- [GraphFramEx: Towards Systematic Evaluation of Explainability Methods for Graph Neural Networks](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2206.09677/) (2022)
- [Scaleable input gradient regularization for adversarial robustness](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1905.11468/) (2019)
- [Global Concept-Based Interpretability for Graph Neural Networks via Neuron Analysis](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2208.10609/) (2022)
- [Unsupervised Graph Poisoning Attack via Contrastive Loss Back-propagation](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2201.07986/) (2022)
- [OmniXAI: A Library for Explainable AI](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2206.01612/) (2022)
- [Motif-Backdoor: Rethinking the Backdoor Attack on Graph Neural Networks via Motifs](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2210.13710/) (2022)

## Abstract (arXiv)

The growing need for Trusted AI (TAI) highlights the importance of interpretability and robustness in machine learning models. However, many existing tools overlook graph data and rarely combine these two aspects into a single solution. Graph Neural Networks (GNNs) have become a popular approach, achieving top results across various tasks. We introduce GNN-AID (Graph Neural Network Analysis, Interpretation, and Defense), an open-source framework designed for graph data to address this gap. Built as a Python library, GNN-AID supports advanced trust methods and architectural layers, allowing users to analyze graph datasets and GNN behavior using attacks, defenses, and interpretability methods. GNN-AID is built on PyTorch-Geometric, offering preloaded datasets, models, and support for any GNNs through customizable interfaces. It also includes a web interface with tools for graph visualization and no-code features like an interactive model builder, simplifying the exploration and analysis of GNNs. The framework also supports MLOps techniques, ensuring reproducibility and result versioning to track and revisit analyses efficiently. GNN-AID is a flexible tool for developers and researchers. It helps developers create, analyze, and customize graph models, while also providing access to prebuilt datasets and models for quick experimentation. Researchers can use the framework to explore advanced topics on the relationship between interpretability and robustness, test defense strategies, and combine methods to protect against different types of attacks. We also show how defenses against evasion and poisoning attacks can conflict when applied to graph data, highlighting the complex connections between defense strategies. GNN-AID is available at hrefhttps://github.com/ispras/GNN-AIDgithub.com/ispras/GNN-AID
