Computer Brainpower

How Can You Use Your Computer to Help You Think?

Chapter 13

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Objectives

1. Understand how computer power can augment the thought processes that support decision making.

2. Differentiate between systems that support decision making and those that make the decisions themselves.

3. Identify the various types of artificial intelligence systems that support decision making.

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Objectives

4. Compare the different types of intelligent agents or bots.

5. Define the role of data warehouses, data marts, and data mining in business decision making.

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Computer Brainpower

• For both simple and complicated decisions, computers can help

• Four major categories of computer-aided decision software1. Decision support

2. Artificial intelligence

3. Intelligent agent software

4. Data mining software

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A:// Decision Support Software

• Decisions Structured - make by applying a formula Unstructured – no guaranteed way to get a precise

right answer

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Decision Making With Personal Productivity Software

• Choices for financing a car that costs $10,000:– Three years at 8.25 percent interest– Four years at 9.25 percent interest– $1,000 down and three years at 8 percent

interest

What are the structured parts of this decision? The unstructured parts?

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Use Excel (DSS) to Analyze Your Decision

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Decision Support System

• Software that uses models, information, and an interactive user interface

• Lets you look at information in different ways

• Requires a lot of input from you

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Decision Support System Components

• Model Management – Handles the models

• A model is a representation of reality

• Data Management– Details of the case and other information– In Excel example, numeric values of the variables

• User Interface Management– Manner in which you communicate with the

software package, i.e. Excel screen

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DSSAnalyze Options and Make a

Decision

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Business Decision Support Systems

• Deciding where to spend advertising dollars

• Analyzing sales trend information

• Analyzing drug interactions

• Developing airline schedules

• Developing asset portfolios

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Decision Support System Models

• Accuracy & helpfulness of results depend on:– Correctness of the relationships or formulas– How accurate estimates are– Validity of any underlying assumptions

• For more information, visit www.mhhe.com/i-series

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I•SeriesEthics, Security & Privacy

Mapping Your Nose

• Lockheed Martin developed a nasal cavity "road map"

• Surgeons train using a a simulator during virtual nasal operations

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Geographic Information System (GIS)

• Software that allows you to see information in map form

• Visual representation of information

• Represents information in layers

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Global Positioning System (GPS)

• A device that tells your current…– Latitude– Longitude– Speed – Direction of movement

• Geographic information systems (GIS) can be combined with database and GPS technology

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Making the GradeSection A: //

1, Software that has models, information, and a user interface to help you make decision is called a (n) __________.

2. A (n) ________ is a representation of reality.

3. Information is stored in layers in a (n) ______________.

4. A(n) _________ is a device that tells you where you are.

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B:// Artificial Intelligence (AI)

• Computer-aided decision software

• Science of making machines imitate human thinking and behavior Robots – artificial

intelligence devices with simulated human senses

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Artificial Intelligence Systems in Business

• Software is used by:– Financial analysts– Hospitals– Government

agencies– Credit card

companies

• Categories:– Expert systems– Neural networks– Genetic algorithms– Fuzzy logic

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Expert Systems

• Called a knowledge-based system• Applies reasoning capabilities to reach a

conclusion• Built for specific applications - domains

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Expert Systems

• Used to solve two kinds of problems– Diagnostic– Prescriptive

• Helps you to reach a conclusion

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Neural Networks

• Simulates the human ability to classify

• AI system that learns how to differentiate patterns

• Credit card companies use neural network alerts for credit usage

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Practically SpeakingAutomatic Speech Understanding

• Can we create computers that are capable of true learning?

• Combining AI systems could produce a hybrid

intelligence system capable of true learning

• Your computer could then understand what you’resaying.

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Genetic Algorithms

• Artificial intelligence system that mimics the evolutionary, survival-of-the-fittest process

• Could generate better solutions to a problem

• Uses the computer to examine solutions

• Repeats the process until it finds the best solution

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Fuzzy Logic

• A way of dealing with uncertainty & imprecision

• Best for situations where variables are shifting constantly and a decision must be made

• Example – antilock brakes

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Making the GradeSection B: //

1. A (n) ______ is an artificial intelligence system that is capable of learning to differentiate patterns.

2. A (n) _______ is an artificial intelligence system that mimics the evolutionary process.

3. A mathematical method of handling imprecise or subjective information is called a(n)_______.

4. An artificial intelligence system that applies reasoning capabilities to reach a conclusion is a(n) ________________.

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C:// Intelligent Agents or Bots

• Software that will automatically perform repetitive tasks on your computer for you

• Involves finding and tracking information• Intelligent agents must "learn"• Usually work in the background, so you

can still use your computer for other tasks

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Major Intelligent Agents

• Find-and-retrieve agents

• User agents

• Monitor and surveillance agents

• Data-mining agents Data-mining bots

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Find-and-Retrieve Agents

• Agents travel around the Internet searching

• Bring back information to you

• Agents– Buyer agent– Shopping bot

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User Agents

• Agents that help an individual perform computer-related tasks

• Works in the background

• Examples– Clippy in Word– Agents that check for

e-mail

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Monitoring and Surveillance Agents

• Intelligent agents that perform diagnostic and housekeeping in the background

• Alert you when they find something of interest

• Example– Agents that monitor large networks

• Computer Associates International• NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory

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Making the GradeSection C: //

1. Specialized search engines that look at products and prices on many Web sites and bring back information on what they found are called ______.

2. Gaming bots are an example of ______ agents.3. Software that will automatically perform

repetitive tasks on your computer for you is called a (n) _______________.

4. To be truly “intelligent,” software must be able to ____________.

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D:// Data Warehouses and Data Mining

• Data warehouse– Collection of information from internal and/or

external sources; other databases– Organized for decision-making purposes

• Data mining– Process of extracting information from a data

warehouse– Process of searching and exploring– Discover new information and relationships

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Data Warehouse

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A Data Warehouse is Multidimensional

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Data Marts

• Miniature data warehouse

• Has a special focus• Subset of a data

warehouse• Aids decision making in a

specific focus area

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Data Mining Tools

• Designed to work with a large amount of information where permutations and combinations are possible

• Objectives of data mining– Prediction– Discovery

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Making the GradeSection D: //

1. The process of extracting new information from a data warehouse is called __________.

2. A _________ is a miniature data warehouse with a specific focus.

3. The two main objectives of data mining are ___________ and prediction.

4. A collection of information organized for decision-making purposes is a(n) ________.

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E:// “Key” Key Terms

• artificial intelligence (p. 13.10)

• data mining (p. 3.20)• data warehouse

(p. 13.19)• DSS (p. 13.5)• fuzzy logic

(p. 13.15)

• genetic algorithm (p. 13.14)

• GIS (p. 13.9)• GPS (p. 13.9)• intelligent agent bot

(p. 13.16)• neural network

(p. 13.13)

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Frequently Asked Questions

• What is a decision support system?• What is the difference between a GIS

and GPS?• How do businesses use artificial

intelligence?• My credit card company called to see if I

recently made a large purchase. What type of AI system is being used?

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FAQs cont.

• How can I use a genetic algorithm system?• Fuzzy logic sounds fuzzy to me. What is it?• I want to purchase a "hard to find" musical

CD. What kind of intelligent agent can I use?• Help! I am tired of filling out forms on the

Web. Isn't there an agent that can do this for me?

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Hands On ProjectsE-Commerce

• Using shopping bots is a good way to do comparative shopping on the Web. What if you want to purchase a gift for someone? Find out if there is a bot for searching for gifts. What questions would be asked to conduct the search?

• Find online photo albums on the Web. What services are offered?

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Hands On ProjectsOn the Web

• Global positioning systems are very popular in cars and even in golf carts. Find several golf courses in your area that offer the services of a GPS. What are the advantages for a golfer?

• Some individuals get jobs doing data mining. See what jobs are available for doing this type of work.

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Hands On ProjectsEthics, Security & Privacy

• Parental Internet control software is available for parents and others to monitor the e-mail, chat sites, and visited Web sites of children and family members. What are your opinions of this kind of software?

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Hands On ProjectsGroup Activities

• Find information on artificial robots used in various fields. Make a list and discuss how these robots work. Some people argue that bots are taking jobs away from humans? What is your opinion?

• Design on paper a decision support system that extends a person's credit limit on their credit card? What data is needed?