Artificial Intelligence (AI) (Cambridge (CIE) O Level Computer Science): Revision Note
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
What is artificial intelligence?
Examiner Tips and Tricks
Cambridge IGCSE 0478 asks you to describe AI systems, list their characteristics, and explain how technologies like expert systems and machine learning work. This page sticks to only what’s covered in the spec and tested in past papers.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is a machine that can simulate intelligent behaviours similar to that of a human
AI is a system that can:
Learn - acquire new information
Decide - analyse and make choices
Act autonomously - take actions without human input
Examiner Tips and Tricks
In the exam, vague answers like “AI is a robot” won’t earn marks. You must describe AI as a system that learns, makes decisions, and acts autonomously. Use those three terms—they’re from the spec.
There are two main types of AI:
Weak AI, also known as narrow AI, is designed to perform a specific task or set of tasks
Strong AI, also known as artificial general intelligence (AGI), is designed to perform any intellectual task that a human can do
Advantages and disadvantages of AI
Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
Increased efficiency | Job losses |
Increased accuracy | Potential for biased decision making |
Scalability | Ethical concerns over its use |
Characteristics of AI
AI shares three common characteristics:
Collection of data
Rules for using data
Ability to reason
Collection of data | Rules for using data | Ability to reason |
|---|---|---|
AI systems require large amounts of data to perform tasks The data is processed using rules or algorithms that enable the system to make decisions and predictions | AI systems can use logical reasoning to evaluate information and make decisions based on that information | It can change its own rules and data |
Expert systems
What is an expert system?
An expert system mimics human knowledge and experience and uses a combination of the two to solve problems or answer questions
Examples of expert systems include:
Equipment troubleshooting and repair
Technical support
Medical diagnosis system
Expert systems share four key characteristics
Knowledge base | Rule base | Inference engine | Interface |
|---|---|---|---|
A database of facts to generate rules that are used to solve problems and make decisions | A set of rules or logic that is used to apply the knowledge in the knowledge base to specific problems | A program that applies the rules in the rule base to the facts in the knowledge base to solve problems | A way for users to interact with the system and provide input |
Examiner Tips and Tricks
If asked to describe how an expert system works, structure your answer like this:
“The knowledge base holds facts, the rule base holds logic, the inference engine applies rules, and the interface allows user interaction.”
List all four parts for full marks.
Advantages and disadvantages of expert systems
Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
Consistent results | Only as good as the data entered |
Faster responses | Responses can be cold and lack human emotion |
Can store large amounts of data | Requires training to use correctly |
Unbiased |
Machine Learning
What is machine learning?
Examiner Tips and Tricks
Machine learning is part of AI, not separate from it. In the exam, avoid saying they’re “different things”, say ML is a method used to train AI systems using data.
Machine learning is one method that can help to achieve an artificial intelligence (AI)
By giving a machine data so that it can 'learn over time' it helps towards training a machine or software to perform a task and improve its accuracy and efficiency
Uses algorithms to analyse data and identify patterns or relationships
Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
Reduces the need for manual work, saving time and effort | Needs vast amounts of quality data to perform well. |
Can detect patterns and make predictions more accurately than humans in many cases | Requires high processing power and resources. |
Continuously improves performance as it processes more data |
Worked Example
Describe the characteristics of AI
[3]
Answer
Any three from:
Collects data
Stores rules for using the data
The ability to reason
The ability to learn // uses machine learning
… by adapting what it does
… for example, from mistakes to not make them again // result from previous decisions impacts future
… by changing its own rules
…by changing its own data
…by being trained
Makes one or more predictions (to make a decision)
Find/analyse patterns
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