Fundamentals of artificial intelligence. An advanced course (Q1819942)

The main goal of the book is to make a graduate reader familiar with certain selected theoretical aspects of Artificial Intelligence, mainly with some selected problems concerning the computational and logical study of knowledge. The seven contributions are divided into three mutally related parts: I. Knowledge representation, II. Knowledge processing, and III. Knowledge programming. In the first part there is only one, but a remarkably high-level contribution by \textit{J. P. Delgrande} and \textit{J. Mylopoulos} devoted to the analysis of basic logical features of knowledge [''Knowledge representation: features of knowledge'' (pp. 3-36)]. In the second part there are four contributions focused on deduction and computation [\textit{G. Huet}, ''Deduction and computation'' (pp. 39-74)], automated deduction [\textit{M. E. Stickel}, ''An introduction to automated deduction'' (pp. 75-132)], theory of learning and inductive inference [\textit{A. W. Biermann}, ''Fundamental mechanisms in machine learning and inductive inference'' (pp. 133-169)], and automation of reasoning processes [\textit{W. Bibel}, ''Methods of automated reasoning'' (pp. 171- 217)]. The third part contains the remaining two contributions devoted to two central approaches to knowledge programming. \textit{Ph. Jourrand} [''Term rewriting as a basis for the design of a functional and parallel programming language. A case study: the language FP2'' (pp. 221-276)] presents a case study of how a functional and parallel language can be used for programming knowledge. \textit{E. Shapiro} [''Concurrent PROLOG: a progress report'' (pp. 277-313)] informs about progresses in developing a concurrent version of the logic programming language PROLOG. The style of the contributions is, as I have mentioned in the beginning, acceptable first of all for readers having some knowledge in artificial intelligence. For those interested rather in the theoretical problems of the discipline than in programming experimentations I can recommend the book as one among the bests I have ever read.