Chapter 12: Follow up article on quiz question --Expert Systems

The key component in an expert system is the inference engine. This component allows the system to analyze data and make systematic decisions and recommendations to the users. The expertise of all available information and knowledge allow the system to operate similar to a human's brain.

An interesting article I found involves a case court case where a legal expert system actually worked so well it was sued for practicing law without a license!

SEE RELATED LINK AND ARTICLE:

http://www.technovelgy.com/ct/Science-Fiction-News.asp?NewsNum=957



Home Glossary Timeline New
'Expert System' Found Practicing Law Without License
California's Ninth Circuit Bankruptcy Appellate Panel upheld a previous court's ruling, effectively finding that a web-based "expert system" was practicing law without a licence last week.
Jayson Reynoso accessed the "Ziinet Bankruptcy Engine," an online site that purported to offer a sophisticated "expert system" that knew bankruptcy law:
Ziinet is an expert system and knows the law. Unlike most bankruptcy programs which are little more than customized word processors the Ziinet engine is an expert system. It knows bankruptcy laws right down to those applicable to the state in which you live. Now you no longer need to spend weeks studying bankruptcy laws.
When a bankruptcy trustee noticed some errors, Reynoso blamed his computer counsel; he and the trustee brought suit. The appellate panel stated in it's decision that it agreed with the earlier court ruling when it found that "the court considered the merits and found that Frankfort qualified as a bankruptcy petition preparer, had violated the requirements placed on such preparers by § 110, had committed fraudulent, unfair, or deceptive conduct, and had engaged in the unauthorized practice of law."
In his 1990 novel Earth, author David Brin wrote about "lawyer programs" that are in routine use in the near future.
Spivey held up one hand. "First I must tell you, Mr. Eng, that what we're about to discuss is highly classified. Top secret."
Logan winced. "I want my lawyer program."
The officer smiled placatingly. "I assure you it's all legal..."(Read more about David Brin's lawyer program)
Update Mar-09-2007: As mentioned by a reader, see the Law Expert System (LEX) from The Moat by Greg Egan. (End update.)