← IGCSE Computer Science Paper 1

Expert systems compared with machine learning

An expert system reasons using rules and facts put in by experts. Machine learning adapts its own processes and data by itself. Both are types of AI.

Part of: IGCSE Computer Science 0478 — 6.3 Artificial Intelligence — Module 23

Understanding Expert systems compared with machine learning in IGCSE Computer Science Paper 1

What it does: In an expert system the facts are added by a person or expert. The system does not add new knowledge to itself. A machine learning program changes its own data automatically as it learns. This is the key difference from an expert system, where people make the changes. Both are types of AI. Each shows intelligent behaviour in its own way.

Common mistakes: An expert system is a type of AI, so is_AI should be TRUE. Machine learning adapts its own processes by itself. It does not need experts to change it. Line 1 should say that ML adapts its own processes.

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Learning
Duo
Who writes the rules in an expert system?
Experts and people put them inThe system writes them by itself
Matches
Expert system: the program rewrites its own rules as it learns
↓
Wrong because an expert system does not adapt itself. Its rules and facts are put in by experts. Adapting by itself is machine learning.
Applying
Meanings
Term
Expert system vs machine learning
Meaning
An expert system reasons using rules and facts put in by experts. Machine learning adapts its own processes and data by itself. Both are types of AI.
Practice
// Expert system: rule from an expert
Testing
Gaps
rules ← getRulesFrom()
Check Answer
Spots
3 facts <- set by experts
4 is_AI <- FALSE

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Quick Questions

1. Who writes the rules in an expert system?
A. Experts and people put them in ✓
B. The system writes them by itself
An expert system uses rules and facts put in by experts. It does not create its own rules.
2. Which type of AI adapts its own processes and data?
A. Expert system
B. Machine learning ✓
Machine learning changes its own processes and data. An expert system only changes when people update it.
3. How does the knowledge base of an expert system get updated?
A. People add or change the facts ✓
B. The expert system rewrites it automatically
The knowledge base of an expert system is updated by people. It does not adapt on its own.
4. Which statement is correct?
A. Both expert systems and machine learning are types of AI ✓
B. Only machine learning counts as AI
Both are types of AI. Each shows intelligent behaviour in its own way.
5. A program follows IF-THEN rules written by doctors to suggest a diagnosis. What is it?
A. Machine learning
B. An expert system ✓
Rules and facts put in by experts mean this is an expert system.

Match the Pairs

IF symptom = fever AND rash THEN measles → A rule written by a person (an expert) and stored in an expert system's rule base
accuracy_new > accuracy_old: keep change → Machine learning testing a change to its own process and keeping it if results improve
An expert system's knowledge base only changes when people update it → knowledge_base.add(fact_from_expert)
Machine learning adapts its own data by itself as it gets more examples → data.add(new_example) # done by the program
Expert system: the program rewrites its own rules as it learns → Wrong because an expert system does not adapt itself. Its rules and facts are put in by experts. Adapting by itself is machine learning.
Machine learning is AI but an expert system is not AI → Wrong because both are types of AI. They differ in how they work: experts' rules versus adapting by itself.

Key Term

Expert system vs machine learning
An expert system reasons using rules and facts put in by experts. Machine learning adapts its own processes and data by itself. Both are types of AI.

Fill in the Blanks

1. rules ← getRulesFrom(experts) result ← infer(facts, rules)
Hint: Type the group of people who write the rules and facts for an expert system.
2. model.adapt(newData) model.save()
Hint: Type the action a machine learning program does to its own processes and data when it sees new data.
3. knowledgeBase.update(newFact) knowledgeBase.save()
Hint: Type the action a person performs to keep an expert system's knowledge base up to date.
4. IF type = "expert" OR type = "ML" THEN isAI ← TRUE ENDIF
Hint: Type the logical operator that makes the test true when either kind of system is used, because both are types of AI.
5. IF adaptsOwnData = TRUE THEN type ← "machine learning" ENDIF
Hint: Type the Boolean value that shows the system changes its own data by itself, like machine learning.

Spot the Error

Question 1
A expert_system:
B rules <- set by experts
C facts <- set by experts
D is_AI <- FALSE
Line D — An expert system is a type of AI, so is_AI should be TRUE.
Question 2
A ML: needs experts to adapt
B ML: adapts own data
C ES: uses rules from experts
Line A — Machine learning adapts its own processes by itself. It does not need experts to change it. Line 1 should say that ML adapts its own processes.
Question 3
A IF system uses expert rules
B THEN type <- expert system
C ELSE IF system adapts itself
D THEN type <- expert system
Line D — A system that adapts itself is machine learning (ML), not an expert system. The line should be THEN type <- ML.
Question 4
A INPUT new_fact FROM expert
B ES adds new_fact by itself
C OUTPUT updated expert system
Line B — An expert system does not update itself. People add new facts to the knowledge base. The line should add the expert's fact to the knowledge base.
Question 5
A ML program gets new data
B Expert rewrites its process
C ML result improves
Line B — Machine learning changes its own process by itself. An expert does not have to rewrite it.

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