Problem Solving and Search in Artificial Intelligence

 

Course Syllabus

 

 

Course Number: 181.190 - Lecture with Exercises (SS 2013)

Course Title:  Problem Solving and Search in Artificial Intelligence

Credits: 2,0 Std. (3ECTS-Points)

Lecturer: Priv. Doz. Dr. Nysret Musliu

Email: musliu@dbai.tuwien.ac.at

 

 

 

Course Description:

This course teaches the main artificial intelligence search techniques used for problem solving. The emphasis will be in informed search techniques, constraint satisfaction, advanced heuristic search techniques, and application of machine learning in search. The course covers these topics: 

·        Basic Concepts  

·        Uninformed Search Strategies  

·        Heuristic Algorithms

·        Constraint Satisfaction Problems

·        Constraint Programming Techniques

·        Decomposition Techniques (Tree and Hypertree Decompositions)

·        Metaheuristic Algorithms (Simulated Annealing, Tabu Search, Genetic Algorithms…)

·        Adversarial Search and Game Playing

·        Application of Machine Learning in Search (Automated Algorithm Selection, Hyperheuristics)

·        Algorithm Configuration (Automated Parameter Tuning)

 

The use of search methods will be illustrated by examples, which show the application of these methods for solving of different hard problems with high practical relevance. Moreover, successful use of search methods in research and industrial projects of our group will be presented.              

 

 

Course Structure:

This course is combination of lectures and exercises. Exercises part consists on small project, which will be an implementation of a hybrid method that combines metaheuristic algorithms and constraint programming technique for a particular problem. Additionally, during the course discussion for solving of different logical problems and puzzles will be made. Proposals of students for discussions about problems for which they are interested are encouraged.   

 

 

Literature:

Stuart Russell and Peter Norvig . Artificial Intelligence: A Modern Approach (Third Edition), 2010

Z. Michalewicz and D. B. Fogel. How to Solve It: Modern Heuristics, 2nd edition, Springer-Verlag, 2004

Additionally the key papers from the literature will be used.

 

Grading

Final (written) Exam: 60 points

Project: 40 points

 

For a positive grade you must have at least 50 points and in the final exam you must reach at least 30 points

 

 

Schedule of Classes

 

Lectures

 

07.03.2013 (10:00 - 12:00) (Seminarraum Gödel)

Preliminary discussion

Basic Concepts  (How to Solve It: Modern Heuristics - Chapters 1, 2 ; Artificial Intelligence: A Modern Approach (AIMA) - Chapter 3)

 

14.03.2013 (10:00 - 12:00) (Seminarraum Gödel)

Uninformed Search Strategies   (AIMA - Chapter 3, How to Solve It - Chapters 3)

Informed Search Algorithms (AIMA - Chapter 4, How to Solve It: Modern Heuristics - Chapters 4)

 

21.03.2013 (10:00 - 12:00) (Seminarraum Gödel)

Constraint Satisfaction (AIMA - Chapter 5)

 

11.04.2013 (10:00 - 12:00) (Seminarraum Gödel)

Constraint Programming Techniques (AIMA - Chapter 5)

 

18.04.2013 (10:00 - 12:00) (Seminarraum Gödel)

Structural Decomposition Techniques (Tree/Hypertree Decompositions)

 

25.04.2013 (10:00 - 12:00) (Seminarraum Gödel)

Metaheuristic Algorithms

 

16.05.2013 (10:00 - 12:00) (Seminarraum Gödel)

Metaheuristic Algorithms

 

23.05.2013 (10:00 - 12:00) (Seminarraum Gödel)

Application of Machine Learning in Search (Automated Algorithm Selection, Hyperheuristics)

 

06.06.2013 (10:00 - 12:00) (Seminarraum Gödel)

Algorithm Configuration (Automated Parameter Tuning)

Adversarial Search and Game Playing

 

20.06.2013 (10:00 – 12:00) (Seminarraum Gödel)

Presentation of projects

 

27.06.2013  (10:00 – 12:00) (Seminarraum Gödel)

Final Exam

 

 

Project

You will implement methods that will be considered in this class for the Sudoku problem.

More information for this problem can be found in this paper:

 

Jean-Paul Delahaye. The Science behind Sudoku. Scientific American, May 22, 2006

 

Additional information for existing constraint programming techniques and metehuristic algorithms for this problem will be given during the class.

 

The project consists of two phases.

Phase I: Implementation of a constraint programming technique for Sudoku

Phase II: Implementation of a metaheuristic technique (or hybrid technique) for Sudoku

 

2 students can work together in a group

 

Schedule for the Assignment:

 

05.05.2013:

Submit in TUWEL your implementation (source code and the description of your method) for Phase I

 

10.06.2013

Submit in TUWEL your implementation (source code and the description of your method) for Phase II

 

20.06.2013 (10:00 – 12:00) (Seminarraum Gödel)

Presentation of projects

 

 

 

mailto: musliu@dbai.tuwien.ac.at