1. (AI) is machine intelligence. It refers to applications of the computer which, in operation, resemble human intelligence. There are different categories of uses which all fall into the AI area. For example, robots or machines with sensory capabilities which detect and recognize sounds, pictures, etc., are one category. Another categories is knowledge based systems, which contain a base of knowledge about a subject and can assist us in solving problems. Knowledge based systems being developed from the experience of human experts are called expert systems and can perform such tasks as medical diagnoses. AI will encompass any areas that have not been easily solved using traditional hardware and software.
2. AI will be incorporated into the 5 -generation computer systems. Then the average computer systems should not require users to remember a lot of complex codes or commands. Rather, the users should ask: "Can you help me with type or problem?" The master control program or operating system will be able to direct the users to the appropriate expert system through questions and answers.
3. AI programming is not magical; it does however imply a change in rules and
methods for the traditional application programmer. Normal application programs
follow a fixed algorithm: if this do that. Given a set of input conditions, the output
can be precisely determined. AI requires program design with more imagination.
New methods of program organization and construction must be developed. AI
programs may require the use of heuristic techniques, which are exploratory in nature and use trial and errors methods. AI programs are often programmed in the LIPS programming language, which allows the program designer to concentrate on the problem-solving logic more effectively than common languages like BASIC and
COBOL.
4. Computers represent a completely new branch of science, the first of them having appeared more than half a century ago. Although still now, these machines have already brought about a real revolution in science, technology, statistics and automatic control.
5. The reason for this lies in the fact that a mathematical formula can be found for almost all scientific and technical problems. They can be solved without a computer but it would require millions of arithmetical operations. No wonder that many problems of exceptional importance remained unsolved for a long time, the volume of the calculations required being above human possibilities.
6. A high speed electronic computer can carry out several thousand arithmetical operations in one second. A calculation, which would have taken several years of intense human work in the past, is now done in a few minutes or hours.
7. The principle of this wonderful machine lies in counting electric impulses. Numbers are represented as a sequence of such impulses, and a radio-technical scheme counts them carrying out addition, subtraction, multiplication and division, all higher mathematical calculations being reduced to these four operations.
8. If we introduce into the scheme first one number and then another, the result will yield the sum of these two numbers. Subtraction is reduced to the addition of negative numbers. Multiplication is done by repeated additions the necessary number of times, a division — by repeated subtraction.
9. Electronic machines work according to a programme prepared in advance which determines the sequence of operations. They have a very efficient electronic "memory" which stores the initial data, the intermediate numbers and final results as well as the working commands given to the machine.
10. A personal computer is a small computer based on a microprocessor; it is a microcomputer. Not all microcomputers are personal computers. A microcomputers can be dedicated to a single task such as controlling a machine tool or metering the injection of fuel into an automobile engine; it can be a word processor, a video game or a "pocket computer" that is not quite a computer. A personal computer is defined as a system that has all the following characteristics:
11. - The price of a complete system should be as low as possible.
- The system either includes or can be linked to secondary memory in the form of disks or flash.
- The PC microprocessors can support a primary memory capacity of 500 gigabaites or more.
- The computers can handle at least one high-level language, such as Basic, Fortran, or Cobol.
12. The operating system facilitates an interactive dialogue: it responds at ones to the users actions or requests.
13. The system is flexible enough to accommodate a wide range of programs. The PC market can be divided into four segments: business, home, science and education.
14. Computers intended for scientific and other technical uses tend to be more powerful then other personal computers. The education segment is potentially very large.
Notes:
sensory capability – ñåíñîðíà çäàòí³ñòü (çäàòí³ñòü ñïðèéìàòè)
knowledge based systems – åêñïåðòí³ ñèñòåìè
heuristic techniques – åâðèñòè÷í³ ìåòîäè
trial and error method – ìåòîä ñïðîá òà ïîìèëîê
to initiate – ïî÷èíàòè; âêëþ÷àòè
floppy disk – ãíó÷êèé äèñê