Page 26 - DCAP310_INTRODUCTION_TO_ARTIFICIAL_INTELLIGENCE_AND_EXPERT_SYSTEMS

Introduction to Artificial Intelligence & Expert Systems

Notes 2.1.2 Knowledge Model

Knowledge modeling is a process of creating a computer interpretable model of knowledge or
standard specifications about a kind of process and/or about a kind of facility or product. The
resulting knowledge model can only be computer interpretable when it is expressed in some
knowledge representation language or data structure that enables the knowledge to be interpreted
by software and to be stored in a database or data exchange file.
Knowledge-based engineering or knowledge-aided design is a process of computer-aided usage
of such knowledge models for the design of products, facilities or processes. The design of
products or facilities then uses the knowledge model to guide the creation of the facility or
product that need to be designed. In other words, it used knowledge about a kind of object to
create a product model of an (imaginary) individual object. Similarly, the design of a particular
process implies the creation of a process model, which design activity can be guided by the
knowledge that is contained in a knowledge model about such a kind of process. The resulting
process model, product model or facility model is typically also stored in a database.
Usually, the knowledge representation language only allows to represent knowledge (about
kinds of things), whereas another language or data structure is required to represent and store
the information models about individual things.

Did u know? If the knowledge representation language enables to express both, then the
knowledge model and the information model can be expressed in the same language (or
data structure).
The basis of a knowledge model of an assembly physical object is a decomposition structure that
specifies the components of the assembly and possible the sub-components of the components.

Example: Knowledge about a compressor system includes that a compressor system
consists of a compressor, a lubrication system, etc., whereas a lubrication system consists of a
pump system, etc. Assume that this knowledge is expressed in a knowledge representation
language that expresses knowledge as a collection of relations between two kinds of things,
whereas in that language a relation type is defined that is called <shall have as part a>. Then a
part of a knowledge model about a compressor system will consist of the following expressions
of knowledge facts:

compressor system shall have as part a compressor
compressor system shall have as part a lubrication system
lubrication system shall have as part a pump system
In everyday situations, people make a variety of decisions to act upon. In turn, these decisions
vary based on one’s preferences, objectives and habits. The following example, Figure 2.2 –
Situational Effects, highlights how gender and age play a role in the decision-making process.

As such, many models, like the example of Jim and Jane, can only be executed after having a
profile assigned. A profile is defined as the personnel interpretation of inputs to a model.
KCM incorporate the quantitative and qualitative use of information, and processes tangible
and intangible attributes that contribute to end result. The bridging together of quantitative and
qualitative methods enables KCM to incorporate subjectivity, which is the main differentiator
between information and knowledge.

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