Expert Systems

Expert Systems

1. Definition

   • An expert system is an application that seeks to mimic the knowledge and experience of a human expert.

2. How does it work?

   • someone asks them advice about a problem within their speciality
   • Expert asks a number of questions to help them formulate an answer
   • Dialogue continues until expert can offer one or more solutions to a problem
   • May be able to prioritise the solutions in terms of their precticality

3. Where are they used?

4. Advantages

   • Expert advice available all the time
   • Knowledge of an expert can be captured to some extent before they move on
   • Use as a training aid to increase expertise of the staff
   • Makes rational decisions without any emotional over head
   • Does not get tired or overworked
   • Efficient way of getting answers without additional help
   • Natural language interface makes system more friendly

5. Disadvantages

   • Only covers a narrow range of knowledge
   • Lots of effort and money needed to make a good expert system
   • Not as good as having human experts to hand
   • Most menu driven does not deal well with ambiguous problems
   • Do not learn from mistakes unless user feedback or human maintenance is an on-going development
   • Unlikely to come up with creative solutions