Mean squared error (MSE) averages the squared differences between corresponding predicted and observed values. In image outlier detection, it measures reconstruction error between an original image and its autoencoder reconstruction. section 16.4
A low reconstruction error indicates that the autoencoder reproduces an input closely; a high error can support flagging the input as an outlier, but the error must be interpreted in context. section 16.4
Detecting a perturbed image
An autoencoder reconstructs a typical boat image quite closely. After random noise is added, the reconstruction differs substantially, producing high MSE and an outlier flag.












