Expert Systems

Question 1

What is the Knowledge Base and how does it function?

Answer 1

• Stores facts and rules from human experts
• Acts as the system’s memory
• Provides information for decision making
• Must be updated regularly to stay accurate

Question 2

What is the Inference Engine and how does it function?

Answer 2

• Processes the rules in the knowledge base
• Applies logical reasoning
• Matches user input with rules
• Produces conclusions or decisions

Question 3

What is the User Interface and how does it function?

Answer 3

• Allows user to enter data
• Displays advice or decisions
• Can be text-based or graphical
• Makes system easy to use
• Connects user to the expert system

Question 4

What is the Rule Base and how does it function?

Answer 4

1. Uses prescribed (knowledge-based) criteria to solve a problem
2. The criteria in the rules base are applied to the inputted data
3. Part of the database of knowledge
4. It contains facts/descriptions of objects
5. Used in searching the knowledge base

Question 5

What is the Explanation Facility and how does it function?

Answer 5

• Explains how decisions were made
• Shows rules used
• Increases trust
• Helps debugging
• Useful for training

Question 6

What are the advantages of expert systems?

Answer 6

• Provides consistent decisions
• Works 24/7
• Reduces cost of hiring experts
• Makes decisions quickly
• Stores knowledge permanently

Question 7

What are the disadvantages of expert systems?

Answer 7

• Expensive to develop
• Expensive to maintain
• Cannot handle unusual situations well
• No human judgement or emotions
• Errors in rules lead to wrong decisions