Expert Systems

Robert A. Hayden (hayden@krypton.mankato.msus.edu)
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The dream of any computer programmer is to develop an artificially
intelligent computer. Well, Yoshida technologies is proud to announce that
it has taken the first step into the world of AI with its new line of expert
systems. Configured for use with present skillsofts, these systems provide
maximum flexibility and usefulness.

An Expert System is sometimes considered to be a rudimentary form of
artificial intelligence. Single minded in task, it is able to conduct
research many hundreds of times faster than a human could.

An expert system is a research system and does just that, research. The
system uses current information to make logical "guesses" and extrapolations
about something unknown. First appearing in the engineering field and other
physical sciences, these computer systems dramatically decreased the time
required to take a product or idea from concept to execution by running
simulations within itself, locating problems, refining the model, and
repeating these steps, gradually working the "bugs" out of the system.

WHAT IS NEEDED

All expert systems consist of four parts. These parts are:

   * The Expert System firmware
   * A Knowsoft for the Technical, Knowledge or B/R Skill
   * A Datasoft for the same skill
   * A personal computer to provide an interface (requires memory equal to
     the Mp of the datasoft plus the Mp of the knowsoft times .5)

Expert System Firmware

The Firmware is really just a handful of computer processors designed
specifically to work with data and make decisions. Each firmware is unique
to the type of data it works with, so, for example, an Electronics system
will not work with Physical Science Know- and Datasofts.

Level   Intelligence    Price
------------------------------
  1        1 Int        18,000
  2        2 Int        35,000
  3        3 Int        70,000
  4        4 Int       105,000

Knowsofts:

A Knowsoft will be used to synthesize the simulations for the expert system.
These are the same Knowsofts utilized in a chipjack.

Datasofts:

These provide the raw library of information for the system. Sizes and
prices of this library can vary, but a good base is as follows:

Type            Size                     Price
------------------------------------------------
General         10 times the size       Mp x 20
                of the Knowsoft
                in Mp

Concentration   7 times the size        Mp x  50
                of the Knowsoft
                in Mp

Specialization  4 times the size        Mp x 100
                of the Knowsoft
                in Mp

NOTE: These prices are only guidelines and can vary with the data. A
Hermetic library (required for spell re search) costs 100/Mp for example.

Personal Computer:

Provides the interface between the user and the expert system along with
working memory and additional processing power. Must have memory equal to
1/2 the sum of the MPs of the Knowsoft and the Datasoft.

HOW TO USE

Any time a character chooses to do something that can take a great deal of
time, such as writing a program or researching a hermetic spell for example,
a research oriented expert system can be given the tasks and will
dramatically reduce the time involved.

The maximum rating of that being researched cannot exceed the level of the
Knowsoft.

To determine the amount of time it will take for the expert system to
perform its task, multiply its rating by 50 and divide the base time
required by this number. A level 4 system could perform a 200 day task in a
mere day, for example.

Once the computer has finished its computations, the GM should secretly roll
a success test. The target number will vary with the complexity of the task,
but usually the rating of that being researched is used. Roll the number of
dice equal to the Intelligence of the computer. If the check succeeds, the
computer has produced a correct answer (but remember, the player doesn't
know this.)

If the check fails, it must be determined if the computer realizes it has
failed. Subtract the computer's intelligence from the previous target
number. Roll the computer's intelligence in dice against this new target
number. If you succeed, the computer knows it fails and informs the player.
If the computer fails this check, it believes it has a working answer and
gives it to the player. If the computer rolls all ones, use of the solution
should have some kind of disastrous effect on the player.

If a computer fails, and knows it has failed, it can keep working. Allow the
same amount of time to pass as previous and make the checks again, but lower
the target numbers by one. A computer can continue on a problem a number of
times equal to its intelligence.

Example:

A decker is going to utilize his expert system to write himself a new level
6 MPCP program. He has a level 3 expert system with Computer Theory-6. The
base time to program the MPCP is 288 days, divided by 150, yielding 1.92
days (round it to two days). The decker starts the program and walks away.

Two days later he comes back. The GM rolls three dice with a target number
of six and gets a 2,3 and 5. The computer has failed. The GM then rolls to
see if the computer knows it. Subtract 3 from the target number of 6 and
roll three dice, getting a 2,5, and 11. The computer knows it failed and
tells the player, asking "Would you like me to keep working on it?"

If the player says yes, he can come back in two days and see if it is done
right. If so, the program is completed and ready for cooking.