Expert Systems (Cambridge (CIE) IGCSE ICT)

Revision Note

Robert Hampton

Written by: Robert Hampton

Reviewed by: James Woodhouse

Updated on

Expert Systems

What is an expert system?

  • An expert system mimics human knowledge and experience and uses a combination of the two to solve problems or answer questions

  • Examples of expert systems include:

    • Equipment troubleshooting and repair

    • Technical support

    • Medical diagnosis system

  • Expert systems share five key characteristics

Knowledge base

  • A database of facts to generate rules that are used to solve problems and make decisions

Rule base

  • A set of rules or logic that is used to apply the knowledge in the knowledge base to specific problems

Inference engine

  • A program that applies the rules in the rule base to the facts in the knowledge base to solve problems

Interface

  • A way for users to interact with the system and provide input

Explanation system

  • Provides the users with explanation and reasoning behind decisions or recommendations

  • Gives a percentage probability of the accuracy of its conclusions

Case Study

Movie recommendation system

Inputs

  • Indicate favourite genres/directors

  • Rate movies watched (stars/thumbs up, thumbs down etc.)

  • Previous movie searches (keywords)

Inference engine

  • Matching similar movies to users history (based on director/genre/actor/reviews etc.)

  • Filtering movies with similar characteristics as previously watched

  • Filtering movies based on what users with similar tastes have watched/liked

Output

  • Display a personalised list of movie recommendations

Advantages and disadvantages of expert systems

Advantages

Disadvantages

  • Consistent results

  • Faster responses

  • Can store large amounts of data

  • Unbiased

  • Only as good as the data entered

  • Responses can be cold and lack human emotion

  • Requires training to use correctly

Worked Example

Expert systems are used by doctors.
a. Describe how an expert system can be used to diagnose illnesses.

[5]

b. Name two other applications of expert systems.

[2]

Answers

a. five of:

An Interactive user interface appears [1]
Questions are asked about the illness [1]
Yes and No type answers to the questions [1]
Answers lead to other questions [1]
The inference engine searches the knowledge base [2]
Using the rules base [1]
Probabilities/possibilities of diagnoses and treatments are displayed [1]
Displays the ways it achieved the solutions/conclusions / explanation [1]

b. two of:

Mineral prospecting [1]
Car engine fault diagnosis [1]
Chess games [1]
Tax queries [1]
Careers recommendations [1]
Movie recommendations on streaming platforms [1]

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Robert Hampton

Author: Robert Hampton

Expertise: Computer Science Content Creator

Rob has over 16 years' experience teaching Computer Science and ICT at KS3 & GCSE levels. Rob has demonstrated strong leadership as Head of Department since 2012 and previously supported teacher development as a Specialist Leader of Education, empowering departments to excel in Computer Science. Beyond his tech expertise, Robert embraces the virtual world as an avid gamer, conquering digital battlefields when he's not coding.

James Woodhouse

Author: James Woodhouse

Expertise: Computer Science

James graduated from the University of Sunderland with a degree in ICT and Computing education. He has over 14 years of experience both teaching and leading in Computer Science, specialising in teaching GCSE and A-level. James has held various leadership roles, including Head of Computer Science and coordinator positions for Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4. James has a keen interest in networking security and technologies aimed at preventing security breaches.