Introduction to

Knowledge Based
Systems
Knowledge-based systems (KBS) are AI-powered software applications
that simulate human decision-making and problem-solving. They
utilize vast databases of domain-specific knowledge to offer
expert-level insights and recommendations, revolutionizing industries
from healthcare to finance.
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Definition and
Characteristics
A knowledge-based system is an artificial intelligence application that utilizes specialized knowledge
to solve complex problems. These systems are characterized by their ability to capture and
represent human expertise, employ reasoning mechanisms to draw inferences, and provide
intelligent, context-aware solutions.
• Knowledge Representation: Knowledge-based systems use various techniques, such as
rules, frames, and semantic networks, to store and organize domain-specific information.
• Reasoning Capabilities: Inference engines within these systems apply logical reasoning and
problem-solving strategies to generate insights and recommendations.
• Adaptability: Knowledge-based systems can be updated and refined over time as new
information or changing requirements emerge.
Components of a Knowledge Based
System
Knowledge Base
The repository that stores the relevant
facts, rules, and relationships about a
specific domain.
User Interface
The interactive component that allows
users to input queries and receive
responses from the system.
Inference Engine
The reasoning mechanism that applies the
knowledge stored in the knowledge base to
draw conclusions and make decisions.
Explanation Facility
The component that provides justifications
and explanations for the system's outputs
and decision-making process.
Knowledge Representation
Techniques
1 Logical
Representation
Uses formal logic, such as propositional logic or predicate calculus, to
represent knowledge as a set of facts, rules, and constraints.

2 Semantic Networks
Represents knowledge as a network of concepts (nodes) and the
relationships between them (links), forming a graphical structure.

3 Frame-Based
Representation
Organizes knowledge into frames, which are data structures that capture
the essential characteristics of a concept or object.
Inference Engines and
Reasoning Mechanisms
The inference engine is the core component of a knowledge-based
system, responsible for applying logical reasoning to the knowledge
base to derive new conclusions. It utilizes various reasoning
mechanisms, such as forward chaining and backward chaining, to
draw inferences and make decisions.
The reasoning mechanisms within the inference engine analyze the
facts and rules in the knowledge base, applying logical operations to
generate new knowledge and solve complex problems. This process
allows the system to reason about the available information and
provide intelligent recommendations or solutions.
Knowledge Acquisition and
Engineering
Knowledge acquisition is the process of extracting, structuring, and
organizing knowledge from human experts or various sources.
Knowledge engineering involves designing and building
knowledge-based systems by applying principles and tools from
artificial intelligence, software engineering, and cognitive psychology.
Expert interviews, document analysis, and automated knowledge
extraction techniques are common methods used in knowledge
acquisition. The acquired knowledge is then modeled using
techniques like rule-based systems, ontologies, and semantic
networks for effective representation and use by the
knowledge-based system.
Expert Systems and their
Applications

Medical Diagnosis Financial Process Control Cybersecurity

Expert systems assist Planning
These systems help Expert systems Expert systems in
doctors in making financial advisors monitor and cybersecurity analyze
accurate diagnoses recommend optimal optimize industrial network traffic and
by analyzing patient investment processes, such as system logs to detect
symptoms and strategies and chemical production and respond to cyber
medical history, manage complex or manufacturing, threats, protecting
drawing insights portfolios based on improving efficiency organizations from
from a vast the client's risk and reducing errors. data breaches and
knowledge base. tolerance and attacks.
Advantages and Limitations of Knowledge
Based Systems
Advantages Adaptability Accessibility Limitations
Knowledge based These systems can Knowledge based Knowledge
systems offer be updated and systems provide acquisition can be
expert-level expanded with new access to expert time-consuming
decision making, knowledge over knowledge and and knowledge
consistent time, allowing capabilities to a engineering is
performance, and them to adapt to wider audience, complex.
the ability to changing making specialized Maintaining and
capture and requirements and expertise more updating the
preserve valuable stay relevant. broadly available. knowledge base
domain knowledge. requires ongoing
They can handle effort. Knowledge
complex problems based systems also
and offer lack the full
explanations for flexibility and
Knowledge Based Architecture and its
Elements

Knowledge Base
1 The repository of domain-specific knowledge, rules, and
facts.

Inference Engine
2 The reasoning mechanism that applies the
knowledge to solve problems.

User Interface
3 The interactive layer that allows users to
input queries and view outputs.

A knowledge-based architecture consists of three core components: the knowledge base, the
inference engine, and the user interface. The knowledge base stores the domain-specific
information, rules, and facts that the system uses to reason and problem-solve. The inference
engine applies this knowledge to draw conclusions and provide solutions. The user interface
enables seamless interaction between the human user and the knowledge-based system.
Conclusion and Future
Trends
Continuous
Advancements
Knowledge-based systems will continue to
evolve, incorporating the latest
breakthroughs in artificial intelligence,
machine learning, and natural language
processing.
Human-AI
Collaboration
The future will see a closer integration of
knowledge-based systems with human
experts, where they work in tandem to
leverage their respective strengths.
Expanding
Applications
These systems will find applications in an
increasingly diverse range of domains,
from healthcare and finance to
transportation and scientific research.
Intelligent Assistants
Knowledge-based systems will become
more pervasive as intelligent digital
assistants, seamlessly integrating with our
daily lives and providing personalized
support.