Page 11 - DCAP506_ARTIFICIAL_INTELLIGENCE

Unit 1: Introduction and Overview

vision field. The work by Minsky and Marr were now the foundation for the cameras and Notes
computers on assembly lines, performing quality control. Although crude, these systems could
distinguish differences shapes in objects using black and white differences. By 1985 over a
hundred companies offered machine vision systems in the US, and sales totaled $80 million. The
1980’s were not totally good for the AI industry. In 1986-87 the demand in AI systems decreased,
and the industry lost almost a half of a billion dollars. Companies such as Teknowledge and
Intellicorp together lost more than $6 million, about a third of there total earnings. The large
losses convinced many research leaders to cut back funding. Another disappointment was the so
called “smart truck” financed by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. The projects
goal was to develop a robot that could perform many battlefield tasks. In 1989, due to project
setbacks and unlikely success, the Pentagon cut funding for the project.
Despite these discouraging events, AI slowly recovered. New technology in Japan was being
developed. Fuzzy logic, first pioneered in the US has the unique ability to make decisions under
uncertain conditions. Also neural networks were being reconsidered as possible ways of
achieving Artificial Intelligence. The 1980’s introduced to its place in the corporate marketplace,
and showed the technology had real life uses, ensuring it would be a key in the 21st century.

AI Put to the Test

The military put AI based hardware to the test of war during Desert Storm. AI-based technologies
were used in missile systems, heads-up-displays, and other advancements. AI has also made the
transition to the home. With the popularity of the AI computer growing, the interest of the
public has also grown. Applications for the Apple Macintosh and IBM compatible computer,
such as voice and character recognition have become available. Also AI technology has made
steadying camcorders simple using fuzzy logic. With a greater demand for AI-related technology,
new advancements are becoming available. Inevitably Artificial Intelligence has, and will
continue to affecting our lives.

Figure 1.4: AI in Test

As a result of research done by Willi Bruns Artificial Intelligence (AI) using computer programs
has the ability to solve complex problems of the real world with logical calculus and not with
functional analysis. The AI is engaged in the development of computer programs to make
computers more “intelligent”. Its research has two aims:
1. To make machines and calculating processes more user-friendly and

2. To analyze intelligent behavior.
AI methods try to copy human behavior, that is they attempt to recreate human errors and
experiences to produce logical conclusions. Another difference to normal programs is the fact
that they do use less functions, compared to the classical numerical mathematics, but much more

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