Module 1: AI Basics and Search Techniques
1.1] AI introduction
Ans: Artificial Intelligence (AI) refers to the simulation of human intelligence in machines
programmed to think and learn like humans. It encompasses a range of technologies, including
machine learning, natural language processing, and robotics, enabling systems to perform tasks
that typically require human intelligence, such as problem-solving, decision-making, and
language understanding. AI is transforming various industries by enhancing efficiency,
improving accuracy, and enabling new capabilities, from virtual assistants and autonomous
vehicles to advanced data analytics and personalized recommendations. As AI continues to
evolve, it holds the potential to significantly impact society and the economy, raising important
ethical and regulatory considerations.
PEAS
Ans: PEAS is a framework used to specify the structure of an intelligent agent in AI.
1. Performance Measure: The criteria that define the success of the agent’s actions.
2. Environment: The surroundings or the context in which the agent operates.
3. Actuators: The mechanisms through which the agent interacts with the environment.
4. Sensors: The tools the agent uses to perceive its environment.
P: Performance Measure:- Performance measure is the unit to define the success of an
agent. Performance varies with agents based on their different precepts.
E: Environment:- Environment is the surrounding of an agent at every instant. It keeps
changing with time if the agent is set in motion.
A: Actuators:- An actuator is a part of the agent that delivers the output of action to the
environment. actuators are the “hands and feet” of the agent, enabling it to carry out
tasks.
S: Sensors:- Sensors are the receptive parts of an agent that takes in the input for the
agent.Sensors are the “eyes and ears” of the agent, providing it with the necessary
information to act intelligently.
Importance of PEAS in AI
Using PEAS helps in:
● Defining clear goals: The performance measure ensures that the agent’s actions are
aligned with the desired outcomes.
● Understanding the operational context: Analyzing the environment allows developers
to anticipate challenges and design solutions that are robust and effective.
● Designing effective interactions: Selecting the right actuators and sensors ensures that
the agent can perceive and interact with its environment in a meaningful way.
Knowledge Representation in AI
Ans: Knowledge Representation in AI is the method of structuring and organizing
knowledge so that AI systems can process and utilize it for reasoning and
decision-making. Knowledge Representation in AI refers to the way in which artificial
intelligence systems store, organize, and utilize knowledge to solve complex problems.
1. Declarative Knowledge:
● Declarative knowledge refers to facts and information that describe the world,
answering the "what" type of questions.
● Example: Knowing that Paris is the capital of France.
● This knowledge is often stored in databases or knowledge bases and expressed in
logical statements, forming the foundation for more complex reasoning and
problem-solving in AI systems.
2. Procedural Knowledge:
● Procedural knowledge is the knowledge of how to perform tasks or processes,
answering the "how" type of questions.
● Example: Steps to solve a mathematical problem or the procedure to start a car.
● This knowledge is embedded in algorithms or control structures, enabling AI systems
to execute tasks, perform actions, and solve problems step-by-step.
3. Meta-Knowledge:
● Meta-knowledge is knowledge about knowledge, understanding which types of
knowledge to apply in different situations.
● Example: Knowing when to use a specific algorithm based on the problem at hand.
● Crucial for systems that need to adapt or optimize their performance, meta-knowledge
helps in selecting the most appropriate strategy or knowledge base for a given problem.
4. Heuristic Knowledge:
● Heuristic knowledge includes rules of thumb, educated guesses, and intuitive
judgments derived from experience.
● Example: Using an educated guess to approximate a solution when time is limited.
● Often used in problem-solving and decision-making processes where exact solutions
are not feasible, helping AI systems to arrive at good-enough solutions quickly
5. Structural Knowledge:
● Structural knowledge refers to the understanding of how different pieces of knowledge
are organized and related to each other.
● Example: Understanding the hierarchy of concepts in a taxonomy or the relationships
between different entities in a semantic network.
● This knowledge is essential for organizing information within AI systems, allowing for
efficient retrieval, reasoning, and inferencing based on the relationships and structures
defined
Challenges in Knowledge Representation
1. Complexity:Representing all possible knowledge about a domain can be highly
complex, requiring sophisticated methods to manage and process this
information efficiently.
2. Scalability: As the amount of knowledge grows, AI systems must scale
accordingly, which can be challenging both in terms of storage and processing
power.
3. Knowledge Acquisition: Gathering and encoding knowledge into a
machine-readable format is a significant hurdle, particularly in dynamic or
specialized domains.
4. Reasoning and Inference: AI systems must not only store knowledge but also
use it to infer new information, make decisions, and solve problems. This
requires sophisticated reasoning algorithms that can operate efficiently over large
knowledge bases.
Applications of Knowledge Representation in AI Knowledge representation is applied
across various domains in AI, enabling systems to perform tasks that require human-like
understanding and reasoning. Some notable applications include:
