Document Type

Thesis

Date of Award

5-31-1984

Degree Name

Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering - (M.S.)

Department

Mechanical Engineering

First Advisor

James L. Rigassio

Abstract

This paper demonstrates that the concepts developed through Artificial Intelligence research are applicable to computerized information systems; and that a system of expert problem solvers and natural language interfaces exhibiting characteristics of "intelligent behavior" offer several advantages over present-day, conventional database management designs. Development of the conclusion was accomplished after an analysis and assimilation of the current literature in the field of Artificial Intelligence and participation in university symposia concerning its application to the business environment. It is concluded that incorporating the notions of learning and creativity, common sense(heuristics), and self-awareness, intelligent computer decision systems will provide managers with : 1) reasonable decision-making capability; 2) improved database access; and 3) increased control over knowledge resources. Further, "intelligent" information systems will afford a means to: 1) solve real-world problems including those which are unexpected, unstructured, or ambiguous; 2) reason about their own progress toward a problem solving goal utilizing "metaknowledge"; and 3) using heuristic rules of judgement, sense the external world and determine the importance of the data. These new design concepts, based on current initiatives, will come to full fruition when more is understood about encoding knowledge and the reasoning process, and when new hardware designs facilitate faster parallel operation.

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