Software designed to emulate human cognitive functions, particularly logical deduction and adherence to predefined guidelines, enables automated decision-making. Expert systems and rule engines are prime examples, utilizing sets of “if-then” statements to process information and arrive at conclusions. For instance, a medical diagnosis system might use patient symptoms as input and, based on a database of medical knowledge, provide a list of potential diagnoses.
The significance of this category of software lies in its capacity to automate complex tasks, improve efficiency, and ensure consistency in decision-making processes. Originally conceived in the field of Artificial Intelligence, this approach has found applications in various sectors, from financial services to manufacturing. By codifying knowledge and logic, such systems offer a scalable and reliable method for handling intricate problems.
