Expert System

Expert systems in AI are computer programs that perform decision-making activities like human experts.
Data scientists or professionals use an expert system in AI to solve complex challenges by interpreting
the knowledge stored in its knowledge base. Simply put, an expert system in AI simulates the behavior of
a human expert to provide solutions. OR

An expert system is a computer program designed to emulate the decision-making abilities of a human
expert in a specific domain. It uses a knowledge base of facts and rules to make informed decisions and
solve problems within its area of expertise. Expert systems are part of the broader field of artificial
intelligence.

Types of Expert Systems in AI

1. Rules-Based System

First up is the rules-based system. It operates based on predefined rules. Therefore, it analyzes queries
based on certain rules provided by human experts and provides solutions accordingly.

2. Fuzzy Logic Expert System

This expert system in AI works on fuzzy logic, which is similar to human reasoning. It works on the
premise that humans don’t always provide answers in “yes” or “no” and think of multiple options.
Similarly, fuzzy logic systems also provide various possibilities. Product recommendations are one of the
best use cases of fuzzy logic expert systems.

3. Knowledge-Based Expert System

Last but not least, we have a knowledge-based expert system. It provides solutions or helps with
problem-solving in specific healthcare or education domains.

How are Expert Systems Applied in Real-World Scenarios?

1. Cancer Decision Support Tool (CaDet)

Expert AI systems are widely used in the medical and healthcare sector. They analyze the clinical
attributes of patients and help in the early diagnosis of diseases like cancer.

2. Intelligent Tutoring System (ITS)

This system helps organizations offer customized and immersive learning experiences to
students. It uses adaptation techniques to provide personalized answers to students based on
their learning capability.

3. Rules-Based Expert System in Agriculture

 Lastly, using an expert system in AI is also transforming agricultural practices. It uses “if-then”
rules and facts to find solutions. For instance, it diagnoses the different types of pests that can
damage various crops.

The ability to adapt to different scenarios makes expert systems versatile tools across diverse
industries.

What are the Components of an Expert System?

1. Knowledge Base

An expert system in AI works on an if-then rule. For example, if condition 1 is satisfied, the system will
give a specific answer. However, if condition 2 is also satisfied, the system will generate a different
answer. Human experts provide input or information stored in the knowledge base. It comprises a
knowledge acquisition module that gathers and stores knowledge from various sources in a central
repository.

2. Inference Engine

This search engine follows a rules-based system and makes logical deductions. It thus acts as a central
processing unit of the expert system which makes decisions according to the facts and the rules stored in
the knowledge base. Simply put, it obtains knowledge from the knowledge base and manipulates it to
find a suitable solution based on the user’s input.

3. User Interfaces

Also called communication systems, user interfaces enable the users to interact with an expert system in
AI. Its role is to accept user queries or commands, convert them into a readable format, and share them
with the inference engine for logical deductions or decision-making. A user interface can include
prompts, dialog boxes, etc.

4. Explanation Facility

As the name suggests, this component explains the logic behind a decision. Additionally, it facilitates the
critical analysis of the logic or reasoning behind a response.

5. Working Memory

It contains facts and relevant information related to the queries. Think about working memory as a
database that stores all information about a particular domain.

How Does an Expert System Make Decisions?

An expert system in AI can offer advice and assist in decision-making, problem-solving, and predicting
results. Let’s now look at how it works.

First, a user provides commands or inputs to the expert system through the user interface. Next, the
interface passes on that input to the inference engine.

The inference engine then receives the input and obtains information from the knowledge base in the
following two ways:

1. Forward Chaining

In this method, the inference engine predicts an outcome based on the existing facts. It knows the facts
and applies inference rules to find the goal.

2. Backward Chaining

This generally involves analyzing the goals first and then going backward through inference rules to
figure out the facts.

What are the Limitations and Challenges of Expert Systems in AI?

1. Knowledge Acquisition

An expert system’s decision-making ability in AI depends on the information stored in its knowledge
base. The system provides incorrect responses if the knowledge base has some error or contains
incorrect information. Hence, correct knowledge acquisition can be a challenge for expert systems in AI.

2. Does Not Provide Logic

Another limitation of an expert system in AI is that it can offer advice and generate results. However, it
cannot explain its response’s in-depth logic or reasoning.

3. No Creative Responses

Even though expert systems function similarly to human experts, they cannot replicate the decision-
making power of a human expert. This means they cannot tailor or customize the solutions per the
demands of the situation. Unlike humans, an expert system in AI cannot provide creative responses to
varied situations.

4. High Initial Development Costs

Another significant disadvantage or challenge of deploying an expert system in AI in business is the high
development and maintenance costs associated with it.

5. Lack of Common Sense:

Despite their expertise in specific domains, expert systems often lack the broad common-sense
understanding that humans possess.

6. Over-Reliance on Data Quality:

7. Inflexibility:

Expert systems operate based on predefined rules and knowledge. While this provides consistency, it can
also make them inflexible in adapting to novel or unforeseen situations.

5. Ethical Considerations:

The use of expert systems raises ethical concerns, particularly in areas like healthcare and finance. Issues
related to accountability, bias in decision-making, and the potential for automation to replace human
judgment require careful consideration.

Advantages of expert systems

1. Knowledge Retention:

2. Consistent Decision-Making:

3. 24/7 Availability:
 4. Rapid Problem-Solving:

5. Cost Savings:

6. Scalability:

Expert System Examples

MYCIN for medical diagnosis, DENDRAL for chemical analysis, and XCON for computer system
configuration. CaDeT (Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment) assist oncologists. PXDES analyzes protein
structures from X-ray crystallography data.