Information knowledge based systems IKBS and expert systems

Information knowledge based systems (IKBS) and expert systems

Information knowledge based systems (IKBS) and expert systems IKBS/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

Information knowledge based systems (IKBS) and expert systems 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

Information knowledge based systems (IKBS) and expert systems Applications of expert systems/IKBS • 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

Information knowledge based systems (IKBS) and expert systems Medical diagnosis • Enables a doctor to make an accurate diagnosis • Gives a doctor the knowledge and decisionmaking ability of a consultant in the field • Enables a patient to be put on the correct treatment without delay

Information knowledge based systems (IKBS) and expert systems 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

Information knowledge based systems (IKBS) and expert systems 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/IKBS will suggest the most likely places where minerals/oil could be found

Information knowledge based systems (IKBS) and expert systems 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

Information knowledge based systems (IKBS) and expert systems Advantages and disadvantages of expert systems/IKBS 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