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Expert system

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TL;DR. AI programs that mimic the decision-making ability of a human expert using a knowledge base and inference rules.

Technical Definition

AI programs that mimic the decision-making ability of a human expert using a knowledge base and inference rules.

How it works

An expert system is an AI program designed to solve complex problems within a specific domain by emulating a human expert's knowledge and reasoning abilities. It typically consists of a knowledge base (containing facts and rules) and an inference engine (which applies rules to derive conclusions). These systems were early successes in AI, particularly in fields like medicine and finance.

Related Concepts

  • Artificial intelligence (AI) — Machines that can perform tasks typically requiring human intelligence.
  • Inference engine — A component of an AI system that uses logical rules to deduce new information from a knowledge base.
  • Rule-based system — AI systems that use human-defined rules to store and manipulate knowledge.

Further Reading

  • Wikipedia — Glossary of AI