The process of building knowledge-based systems is called knowledge engineering (KE). It has a great deal in common with software engineering, and is related to many computer science domains such as artificial intelligence, databases, data mining, expert systems, decision support systems and geographic information systems. Knowledge engineering is also related to mathematical logic and cognitive science as the knowledge is produced by cognitive systems (mainly humans) and is structured by our understanding of how human reasoning or logic works. According to FOLDOC, a knowledge-based system is a program for extending and/or querying a knowledge base. ... Software engineering (SE) is the profession of people who create and maintain software applications by applying technologies and practices from computer science, project management, engineering, application domains and other fields. ... Computer science is the study of the theoretical foundations of information and computation and their implementation and application in computer systems. ... Hondas intelligent humanoid robot AI redirects here. ... A database is an organized collection of data. ... It has been suggested that Tech mining be merged into this article or section. ... An expert system is a class of computer programs developed by researchers in artificial intelligence during the 1970s and applied commercially throughout the 1980s. ... Decision support systems are a class of computerized information systems that support decision making activities. ... A geographic information system or geographical information system (GIS) is a system for creating and managing spatial data and associated attributes. ... Logic, from Classical Greek λόγος (logos), originally meaning the word, or what is spoken, (but coming to mean thought or reason) is most often said to be the study of criteria for the evaluation of arguments, although the exact definition of logic is a matter of controversy among philosophers. ... Rendering of human brain based on MRI data Cognitive science is usually defined as the scientific study either of mind or of intelligence (e. ...

Various phases of KE specific for the development of a knowledge-based system:

• Assessment of the problem
• Acquisition and structuring of related information, knowledge and specific preferences
• Development of a knowledge-based system shell/structure
• Implementation of the structured knowledge into knowledge-bases
• Testing and validation of the inserted knowledge
• Integration and maintenance of the system
• Revision and evaluation of the system.

Being still more art than engineering, KE is not as neat as the above list in practice. The phases overlap, the process might be iterative, and many challenges could appear. Recently, emerges meta-knowledge engineering as a new formal systemic approach to the development of an unified knowledge theory. Meta-knowledge or metaknowledge is possible to interpret as knowledge about knowledge. ...

Knowledge Engineering Principles

Since the mid-1980s, knowledge engineers have developed a number of principles, methods and tools that have considerably improved the process of knowledge acquisition. Some of the key principles are summarized as follows:

• Knowledge engineers acknowledge that there are different types of knowledge, and that the right approach and technique should be used for the knowledge required.
• Knowledge engineers acknowledge that there are different types of experts and expertise, such that methods should be chosen appropriately.
• Knowledge engineers recognize that there are different ways of representing knowledge, which can aid the acquisition, validation and re-use of knowledge.
• Knowledge engineers recognize that there are different ways of using knowledge, so that the acquisition process can be guided by the project aims.
• Knowledge engineers use structured methods to increase the efficiency of the acquisition process.

Bibliography

• Negnevitsky, Michael (2004). Artificial Intelligence: A Guide to Intelligent Systems. Addison Wesley. ISBN 0321204662.
• Russell, Stuart, Norvig, Peter (2003). Artificial Intelligence: A Modern Approach. Pearson Education, Inc.. ISBN 0137903952.
• Penrose, Roger (2005). The Emperor's New Mind: Concerning Computers, Minds and the Laws of Physics. Owl Books (NY). ISBN 0805078533.

Peter Norvig is currently the Director of Research (formerly Director of Search Quality) at Google Inc. ... Sir Roger Penrose, OM, FRS (born 8 August 1931) is an English mathematical physicist and Emeritus Rouse Ball Professor of Mathematics at the University of Oxford. ...

See also

• Knowledge representation
• Knowledge management
• Knowledge level modeling
• CommonKADS Methodology
• Meta-Knowledge Engineering - Server of the Italian Research Agency ENEA
• Clinical decision support system
• Connectionist expert system