Intelligent

Support
Systems

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Artificial Intelligence (AI)

AI is the effort to develop computer-based systems
that can behave as humans.

AI is able to
 Learn natural languages
 Accomplish physical tasks (robotics)
 Utilize a perceptual apparatus (visual and oral)
 Emulate human expertise and decision making
(expert systems)

Basic idea
The computer can be programmed to perform some
of the same logical reasoning tasks as a human.

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What is Human Intelligence?

Highly complex and much broader than
computer systems.

Scientist of human cognition have
recognized that key aspects of human
intelligence are beyond description and
therefore are not easily imitated by
consciously designed machine.

At least four important capabilities are
involved in HI.
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 HI is a way of reasoning
 HI can be described as the
application of rules based on human
experience and genetics.
 Rules are part of the knowledge
carried by humans.
 If x, then y

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HI is a way of behaving
Behaving in the realm of cultural
and social restrictions (values).

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HI includes the development and
use of metaphors and analogies
 Ability to develop associations
 Ability to use metaphors and
analogies such as “like” and “as”
 “Common sense” or “generality”

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HI includes the creation and use of
concepts
 Ability to impose conceptual apparatus on
the world
 E.g. Cause and effect and time

AI refers to an effort to develop

machines that can reason, behave,
compare, and conceptualize.
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AI: Controversial Subject
 Most controversial subject in computer science
(through out the years) since the effort began
in the 1950s.

Critics argue that it is impossible to imitate or

to program HI (because it is beyond
description)
 What you cannot describe, you cannot
program.

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AI: Controversial (Cont’d)

Supporters point to the goal of using AI
as a way of understanding HI.
 Improvements in AI research and
development have been made since the
effort began in the 1950s.

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Major Areas of Intelligent
Support Systems
 Cognitive Science
 Neural Networks
 Robotics
 Natural Interface

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Cognitive Science
 Based on research in biology,
neurology, psychology, mathematics
and other disciplines.
 Focuses on how the human brain
works and how humans think and
learn.
 Tries to imitate the results in AI-
systems.

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Cognitive Science: Applications
 Expert Systems
 Learning Systems
 Fuzzy Logic

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Expert Systems
 Add knowledge to knowledge base
 Have some reasoning capabilities

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Learning Systems

Have ability to modify their behavior
based on information they acquire.
e.g. Chess-playing systems

Acquire Knowledge in addition to
what has been entered.

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Fuzzy Logic
 Incomplete or ambiguous (fuzzy) data can be
processed.
 Can solve unstructured problems with incomplete
knowledge by developing approximate inferences
and answers, as humans do.
 Fuzzy logic examples:
 Increase interest rates slightly IF unemployment is low
AND inflation is moderate.
 Increase interest rates sharply IF unemployment is low
AND inflation is moderate BUT rising sharply.
 Decrease interest rates slightly IF unemployment is low
BUT increasing AND inflation is low and stable.
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Neural Networks
 Neuro-computer systems whose
architecture is based on the human
brain’s mesh-like neuron structure.
 Computers that attempt to emulate the
processing patterns of the biological
brain.
 Simulates the way that neurons interact
to process data and learn from the
experience.
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Robotics
 Based on engineering and physiology.
 Produces robot machines with
computer-controlled humanlike
physical capabilities.
 Designed to give robots the power of
 Sight or visual perception
 Touch or tactile capabilities

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Robotics (Cont’d)
 Dexterity of skill in handling and
manipulation
 Locomotion or the physical ability to
move over any terrain
 Navigation or the ability to properly
find one’s way to a destination

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Natural Interfaces
 Being able to talk to computers in
conversational human language and
have “understand” us as easily as we
understand each other.
 Involves research and development in
 Linguistics
 Psychology
 Computer science and other disciplines

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Natural Interfaces (Cont’d)
 Applications include
 Human language understanding
 Speech recognition
 Multi-sensory devices that uses a
variety of movement
 Virtual Reality
(Computer–Simulated Reality)

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Natural Interfaces (Cont’d) -
Virtual Reality
 Multi-sensory human/computer interfaces that
enable human users to experience computers-
simulated objects, spaces, activities, and worlds as
if they actually exist.
Relies on multi-sensory input/output device such as
 Headset with video goggles
 Stereo earphones
 Jumpsuits with fiber–optic sensors that track the
body movements

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Natural Interfaces (Cont’d) -
Virtual Reality

You can experience computer simulated
virtual worlds through sight, sound, and
touch.
 Applications
 CAD ( Examine 3-D models of products)
 Medical diagnosis and treatment
(Examine virtual model of a patients body)
 Entertainment (3-D video games)
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Natural Interfaces (Cont’d) -
Virtual Reality
 Applications (Cont’d)
 Flight simulation for training pilots and astronauts
 Tele presence
 Users can manipulate equipment
(sight and touch) from remote area.
 Remote use of equipment in hazardous
environment such as chemical plants or nuclear
reactors
 Virtual surgery
(Surgeon and patient may be on either side
of the globe.)
.
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 Expert Systems
 Widely implemented application of AI
 Is a knowledge-based system (IS) that uses its
knowledge about a specific, complex
application area to act as an expert consultant
to end users.
 The advice can be to operational process or
decision-making process.

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Components of Expert Systems

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Components of ES –
Knowledge Base
 Model of human knowledge
 Contains
 Factsabout a specific subject area
e.g. John is an analyst.
 Ostrich is a bird.
 Tiger is an animal.

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Components of ES-
Knowledge Base (Cont’d)
 Knowledge representation techniques
(describe how the facts fit together)
 Heuristics (rules of thumb) express the
reasoning procedures of an expert subject
e.g. If John is an analyst, THEN he needs
a workstation.
 If ostrich is an animal with feathers,
THEN it is a bird.

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 Rules
 Specifies what to do in a given situation
 Consists of two parts
 Condition true or not true
 Action to be taken when the condition is
true
eg. If economic index > 1.20 and seasonal
index > 1.30 THEN sales
outlook = “excellent”
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Networks of Rules
 The logical relationship of rules can be
presented with a hierarchical diagram
 Interconnected and nested rules are the
basis for the knowledge in the system
 The rules of the bottom of the hierarchy
provide evidence for the rules on the upper
levels
 The evidence enables the rules on the upper
levels to produce conclusions

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Components of ES-
Inference Engine
 Strategy used to search through the rule base
 Performs reasoning by using the contents of
the knowledge base (rules and facts)
 Examines rules, and when a rule’s condition
is true the specified action is taken

Makes inferences resulting in
recommended courses of action for a user

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Using Expert Systems
 Involves an interactive computer-based session
 Solution to a problem is explored with the ES
acting as a consultant to an end user
 User asks questions
 ES searches its knowledge base for facts and
rules
 Explains its reasoning process

Gives expert advice

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