Showing papers by "Nils J. Nilsson published in 1986"

Probabilistic logic

Abstract: Because many artificial intelligence applications require the ability to reason with uncertain knowledge , it is important to seek appropriate generalizations of logic for that case. We present here a semantical generalization of logic in which the truth values of sentences are probabili~ values (between 0 and 1). Our generalization applies to any logical system for which the consistency of a finite set of sentences can be established. The method described in the present paper combines logic with probability theory in such a way that probabilistic logical entaihnent reduces to ordinary logical entailment when the probabilities of all sentences are either 0 or 1.

Annual Review of Computer Science

Abstract: This book contains the annual review of computer science. Volume 4. Topics covered include: Supercomputers and instruction scheduling for superscalar architectures.

Artificial Intelligence, Employment, and Income.

Abstract: Artificial intelligence (AI) will have profound societal effects. It promises potential benefits (and may also pose risks) in education, defense, business, law and science. In this article we explore how AI is likely to affect employment and the distribution of income. We argue that AI will indeed reduce drastically the need of human toil. We also note that some people fear the automation of work by machines and the resulting of unemployment. Yet, since the majority of us probably would rather use our time for activities other than our present jobs, we ought thus to greet the work-eliminating consequences of AI enthusiastically. The paper discusses two reasons, one economic and one psychological, for this paradoxical apprehension. We conclude with discussion of problems of moving toward the kind of economy that will be enabled by developments in AI.