| Copyright (c) 2007 Dean Barnard | | | | mines and restricted places for operations |
| | | | which are dangerous for human beings. They |
| The general perception of information | | | | are also used in conducting delicate |
| technology and computers in particular has | | | | surgeries in hospitals. |
| been that of a computing mechanism primarily | | | | |
| used to manipulate data and present it in | | | | Other terms which are associated with |
| various ways. The comparison with human | | | | artificial intelligence are neural network |
| intelligence has been rather tenuous and in | | | | and fuzzy logic. Neural networks as the name |
| the realm of science fiction. It may | | | | suggests is a type of system which is |
| therefore come as a surprise to many that | | | | designed to replicate human decision process. |
| scientists and engineers have been working on | | | | The tree like structure with different path |
| systems which may replicate organic | | | | in the decision process forms the units of a |
| intelligence in future. In fact, many | | | | neural network. It is evident that neural |
| algorithms and software have already been | | | | networks are essentially hierarchical and |
| designed to mimic real intelligence. | | | | follow a definite pattern. |
| | | | |
| Artificial intelligence has found widespread | | | | As against a rule based approach, fuzzy logic |
| use in biometrics. Fingerprint readers are | | | | claims a more exalted place in the pantheons |
| commonplace and are extensively deployed in | | | | of artificial intelligence. Some scientists |
| access control systems. Face and iris | | | | believe that human intelligence is not pure |
| recognition have lately become popular | | | | logic and has an enormous amount of |
| security devices. | | | | fuzziness. Two people under similar |
| | | | circumstances may very well behave in |
| Expert systems are a branch of artificial | | | | different fashion. They therefore conclude |
| intelligence where computers are used to play | | | | that true intelligence is actually fuzzy. |
| the role of experts. They are also known as | | | | However in practice, it is not easy to |
| decision support systems and were first | | | | mathematically model fuzziness. Probability |
| deployed by the military. They are used to | | | | and random number theory have assumed |
| help military commanders to take tactical | | | | importance and these concepts are used widely |
| decisions under battle conditions. Sometimes | | | | in designing systems with fuzzy logic. |
| the amount of processing and calculations on | | | | |
| the field can best be solved by expert | | | | The subset of artificial intelligence |
| systems. As the name suggests, state of the | | | | consists of Expert systems with decision |
| art technology can at present only help in | | | | support systems and Robotics. These are |
| assisting people in taking decisions. | | | | implemented with neural networks or fuzzy |
| However, researchers in this field are | | | | logic. Human brain is too complex and the |
| confident in creating expert systems which | | | | logic widely dispersed, to be replicated in |
| will completely replace human interface. | | | | its entirety. Therefore those mechanical |
| | | | activities which do not require much logic |
| Robotics is another exciting area under the | | | | and are hierarchical in nature are best |
| umbrella of artificial intelligence. As of | | | | suited for present day applications .A day |
| now, robots are assisting humans in | | | | will certainly come when human intelligence |
| automating factory operations. Computer aided | | | | is fully replicated by artificial means, |
| design and computer aided manufacture are | | | | though it may not happen in the immediate |
| already crafting complex mechanical devices | | | | future. |
| with high accuracy. Robots are also used in | | | | |