EXPERT SYSTEMS

Disha Verma

Introduction to Expert systems

An expert system is software that attempts to reproduce the performance of one or more human experts, most commonly in a specific problem domain (Wikipedia) Use human knowledge to solve problems that normally would require human intelligence Embody some non-algorithmic expertise Represent the expertise knowledge as data or rules within the computer

Can be called upon when needed to solve problems

Introduction to Expert systems

Expert systems are built to solve a wide range of problems in domain such as medicine, math, engineering, chemistry, geology, computer science, business, low, defense and education

These programs address a variety of problems, the following list is a summary of general expert system problem categories:

Interpretation --- forming high-level conclusions from collections of raw data Prediction --- projecting probable consequences of given situations Diagnosis --- determining the cause of malfunctions based on observable symptoms Design --- finding a configuration of system components that meets performance goals while satisfying a set of design constrains Planning --- devising a sequence of actions that will achieve a set of goals given starting conditions and runtime constrains

Components of Expert System

Components of Expert System

The heart of the expert system is the knowledge base, which contains the knowledge of a particular application domain. In a rule-based expert system, this knowledge is most often represented in the form of ifthen In the figure, the knowledge base contains both general and case-specific information

Components of Expert System

The inference engine applies the knowledge to the solution of actual problems It is important to maintain this separation of the knowledge and inference engine because:

Makes it possible to represent knowledge in a more natural fashion Expert system builder can focus on capturing and organizing problem-solving knowledge than the details of code implementation Allow change to be made easily Allows the same control and interface software to be used in different systems

Major Roles of Individuals

Domain expert currently experts solving the problems the system is intended to solve Knowledge engineer - encodes the expert's knowledge in a declarative form that can be used by the expert system User - will be consulting with the system to get advice which would have been provided by the expert Systems built with custom developed shells for particular applications:

System engineer - the individual who builds the user interface, designs the declarative format of the knowledge base, and implements the inference engine

Selecting a problem

Expert System involve a considerable investment of money and human effort Researchers have developed guidelines to determine whether a problem is appropriate for expert system solution:

The need for the solution justifies the cost and efforts of building an expert system Human expertise is not available in all situation where it is needed

Selecting a problem
The

problem domain is well structured and does not require common sense reasoning The problem may not be solved using traditional computing methods Cooperative and articulate experts exist The problem is proper size and scope

Advantages and Disadvantages

Advantages: Consistent answers for repetitive decisions, processes and tasks Holds and maintains significant levels of information Encourages organizations to clarify the logic of their decision-making Never "forgets" to ask a question, as a human

Advantages and Disadvantages

Disadvantages: Lacks common sense Cannot make creative responses as human expert Domain experts not always able to explain their logic and reasoning Errors may occur in the knowledge base Cannot adapt to changing environments

Difference between expert systems and decision support systems

Role: DSS just supports whereas ES can take decisions Problem Domain: DSS- Broad, ES- Narrow Models and knowledge representation : ESHeuristics, DSS- Models Queries: ES ask questions , DSS doesnt. Focus: ES- Transferring expertise, DSS helps in Decision making