lugowski%resbld@ti-csl.CSNET.UUCP (03/23/87)
Regarding the following... Date: 22 Mar 1987 18:21-EST From: cross@afit-ab.arpa Subject: Conference - AAAI-87 Workshop on Real-Time Processing Workshop on Real-Time Processing in Knowledge-Based Systems AI techniques are maturing to the point where application in knowledge intensive, but time constrained situations is desired. Examples include monitoring large dynamic systems such as nuclear power plants... sensor interpretation and management in hospital intensive care units... Desired by whom? I wouldn't trust AI techniques with monitoring large dynamic systems of the class of a medium-sized municipal toilet. I would certainly want out of any ICU where my fragile well-being did not depend on an ICU nurse, overworked as though he or she may be. The AI community has had up to now the good sense of relegating its really questionable achievements to the battlefield, where they are fondly appreciated. Let's not get too greedy by introducing the battlefield to our rather safe nuclear plants and ICUs. -- Marek Lugowski Texas Instruments lugowski%crl1@ti-csl.csnet
mct@praxis.UUCP.UUCP (03/27/87)
In article <8703250728.AA21290@ucbvax.Berkeley.EDU> lugowski%resbld@ti-csl.CSNET writes: > I wouldn't trust AI techniques with monitoring large dynamic >systems of the class of a medium-sized municipal toilet. I would certainly >want out of any ICU where my fragile well-being did not depend on an ICU >nurse, overworked as though he or she may be. The AI community has had up >to now the good sense of relegating its really questionable achievements to >the battlefield, where they are fondly appreciated. Let's not get too greedy >by introducing the battlefield to our rather safe nuclear plants and ICUs. > > -- Marek Lugowski > Texas Instruments > lugowski%crl1@ti-csl.csnet I strongly agree. Any safety-critical system should have certain characteristics: it should be rigorously specified (AT LEAST the safety aspects); it should be possible to reason rigorously about the implementation, to convince others that it matches the specification; it should be developed using QC/QA techniques that guarantee an audit trail so that any faults discovered after development can be traced to their cause. These considerations dictate the use of mathematically rigorous methods, and a certified Quality Assurance regime. Does anyone know of an AI system which measures up? Please reply by mail - I'll summarise. Martyn Thomas mct%praxis.uucp@ukc.ac.uk <or> Praxis Systems plc ...seismo!mcvax!ukc!praxis!mct 20 Manvers Street, Tel: +44 225 335855 BATH BA1 PX England. Fax: +44 225 65205 (Groups 2&3)