expert systems

expert systems

1. what is it?

   • software that uses databases of expert knowledge to offer advice of make decisions.

2. advantages

   • Expert advice available all the time
   • Knowledge of expert staff can be captured to some extent before they move on.
   • Can be used as a training aid to increase the expertise of staff
   • Makes rational decisions without any emotional overhead
   • doesn't get tired or overworked
   • Efficient way of getting answers as it does not involve additional help staff e.g. automated help systems

3. disadvantages

   • Usually only covers a narrow range of knowledge
   • Not as good as having human experts to hand.
   • Most expert systems are menu driven which does not deal very well with ambiguous problems.
   • Unlikely to come up with creative solutions
   • Does not learn from mistakes unless user feedback and human maintenance is part of its ongoing development
   • Advanced interfaces such as natural language processing still has some way to go before they are truly effective.

4. how does it work?

   • a user interface
     • allows a non expert user to question or query the expert system and to receive advice.
   • a knowledge base
     • collection of facts and rules
     • created by information provided by human experts
   • inference engine
     • acts like a search engine