Artificial Intelligence: A branch of computing that studies the use of computer to perform computational processes normally associated with the human intellect.
Expert systems
A computer that thinks and behaves like a human expert in a certain field
These are systems that can be used to mimic a human expert
They use artificial intelligence to make decisions based on answers to questions
Components
Knowledge base – set of knowledge about a about particular field/subject Inference engine – a set of rules on which the decisions made by the system are based - these rules are applied to the knowledge base User interface – the way the expert system/IKBS communicates with the user - it presents the user with questions and allows them to type in the answers
Advantages and disadvantages of expert systems
Advantages
Fewer mistakes – they do not forget things
Less time to train – human experts take a long time to train
More expertise than a single expert – systems based on expertise of many experts
Always asks the questions that a human expert may forget to ask
Disadvantages
Systems lack common sense – they cannot spot a situation that is ridiculous
Systems lack senses – for example, a patient may need to be observed
The system relies on the rules being correct – the person creating the expert system may have made mistakes
Applications of expert systems
Doctors – for medical diagnosis
Architects – to help with the design of buildings
Geologists – to help them find the best place to look for minerals or oil
Accountants – for giving tax advice to individuals/companies
Medical diagnosis
Enables a doctor to make an accurate diagnosis
Gives a doctor the the knowledge and decision-making ability of a consultant in the field
Enables a patient to be put on the correct treatment without delay
Designing buildings
Gives builders/architects expert information on the best way to construct buildings
For example, builders can specify a certain number of rooms and the system will put them together in the best way
Prospecting for minerals/oil
Can take geological information from maps to create the knowledge base
Use knowledge base and apply the rules in the inference engine to it
The user can enter locations using the user interface
The expert system will suggest the most likely places where minerals/oil could be found
Giving tax advice to companies/individuals
Tax is complex
Companies and individuals want to legally minimize the tax they pay
Expert systems ask a series of question to arrive at an expert decision
