Week 1 (Chapter 1) - Intelligent Agents

Question 1

What are the different approaches to defining AI?

Answer 1

• Thinking like a human
• Thinking rationally
• Acting like a human
• Acting rationally

Question 2

Explain “Thinking like a human”

Answer 2

Figure out how we think by ‘introspection’ or ‘experimentation’

Self awareness is important: “I think therefore I am”

Question 3

Explain “Thinking rationally”

Answer 3

The laws of thought: e.g. “Socrates is a man. All men are mortal. Therefore Socrates is mortal”

Question 4

Explain “Acting like a human”

Answer 4

The Turing Test

- Not reproducible, constructive, or amenable to mathematical analysis

Question 5

Explain “Acting rationally”

Answer 5

The rational agent: perform actions which will (most likely) achieve one’s goals

Knowledge may not be perfect - need to go beyond strict rational thought in general

Question 6

What is an “Agent model”?

Answer 6

• “Perceptions/observations” of the environment, made by SENSORS
• “Actions” which may affect the environment, made by ACTUATORS
• “Environment” in which the agent exists
• “Performance measure” of the desirability of environment states

Question 7

Give an example of an Agent Model - automated taxi

Answer 7

Percepts - Video, accelerometers, gauges, engine sensors, keyboard, GPS, etc

Actions - Steer, accelerate, brake, horn, speak/display, etc

Environment - City streets, freeways, traffic, pedestrians, weather, customers, etc

Performance measure - Safety, reach destination, maximise profits, obey laws, passenger comfort, etc

Question 8

Give an example of an Agent Model - automated taxi

Answer 8

Percepts - Video, accelerometers, gauges, engine sensors, keyboard, GPS, etc

Actions - Steer, accelerate, brake, horn, speak/display, etc

Environment - City streets, freeways, traffic, pedestrians, weather, customers, etc

Performance measure - Safety, reach destination, maximise profits, obey laws, passenger comfort, etc

Question 9

What are the 4 “Agent Types”?

Answer 9

• Simple reflex agents
• Model-based reflex agents
• Goal-based agents
• Utility-based agents

Question 10

Elaborate on “Environment Types”

Answer 10

Environments may or may not be:

• OBSERVABLE- percept contains all relevant information about the world
• DETERMINISTIC - current state of the world uniquely determines the next
• EPISODIC - only the current (or recent) percept is relevant
• STATIC - environment doesn’t change while the agent is deliberating
• DISCRETE - finite number of possible percepts/actions

Question 11

Characterise the environment for Solitaire problem

Answer 11

Observable - Yes
Deterministic - Yes
Episodic - No
Static - Yes
Discrete - Yes