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Unit 13: Expert System Architecture
Introduction Notes
In artificial intelligence, an expert system is a computer system that emulates the decision-
making ability of a human expert. Expert systems are designed to solve complex problems by
reasoning about knowledge, like an expert, and not by following the procedure of a developer
as is the case in conventional programming. The first expert systems were created in the 1970s
and then proliferated in the 1980s. An expert system has a unique structure, different from
traditional computer programming. It is divided into two parts, one fixed, independent of the
expert system: the inference engine, and one variable: the knowledge base. To run an expert
system, the engine reasons about the knowledge base like a human. In the 80s, a third part
appeared: a dialog interface to communicate with users. This ability to conduct a conversation
with users was later called “conversational”.
13.1 Expert System Architecture
Expert systems typically contain the following four components:
Knowledge-Acquisition Interface
User Interface
Knowledge Base
Inference Engine
This architecture differs considerably from traditional computer programs, resulting in several
characteristics of expert systems.
Figure 13.1: Expert System Components
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