AI Glossary
Expert Systems
An expert system is a computer program designed to make decisions or provide recommendations using predefined rules and knowledge from human experts.
Overview
Expert systems are one of the earliest forms of artificial intelligence. They use a collection of rules and knowledge to solve problems within a specific domain.
Rather than learning from data, expert systems rely on human-created rules that guide their decision-making process.
Why It Matters
Expert systems demonstrated that computers could mimic aspects of human decision-making. They helped lay the foundation for many modern AI applications.
Although newer AI systems often use machine learning, expert systems remain useful when decisions must follow strict rules and regulations.
Real-World Example
A medical diagnostic system that recommends possible illnesses based on a patient’s symptoms and predefined medical rules.
Related Concepts
- Artificial Intelligence
- Machine Learning
- Decision Trees
- Knowledge Base
- Automation