Artificial Intelligence

Problem solving is thus, something AI does very well as long as the problem is narrow in focus and clearly defined. For example, mathematicians, scientists, and engineers are often called upon to prove theorems. (A theorem is a mathematical statement that is part of a larger theory or structure of ideas.) Because the formulas involved in such tasks may be large and complex, this can take an enormous amount of time, thought, and trial and error. A specially designed AI program can reduce and simplify such formulas in a fraction of the time needed by human workers.

Artificial intelligence can also assist with problems in planning. An effective step-by-step sequence of actions that has the lowest cost and fewest steps is very important in business and manufacturing operations. An AI program can be designed that includes all possible steps and outcomes. The programmer must also set some criteria with which to judge the outcome, such as whether speed is more important than cost in accomplishing the task, or if lowest cost is the desired result, regardless of how long it takes. The plan generated by this type of AI program will take less time to generate than by traditional methods.