Transitioning expert system technology: case studies at the Navy Center for applied research in artificial intelligence

Abstract

Within t k Department of Defense, a climate of budget cuts, personnel reductions, and renewed emphasis on research coordination and collaboration among theServices makes effective transition of developed technologyfiom the research laboratory to the operational military more critical than ever before. This paper describes three cast? studies in expert or knowledge-based system technology development and transition at the Navy Center for Applied Research in Artificial intelligence. Although quite different in methodological approach, the systems share a common development philosophy --to construct prototypes as specialized, reusable tools or shells rather than as simple technology demonstrations tailored to a particular application. The paper concludes with the identification and discussion of a number of critical issues in technology transition &awn from our eqeriences with and lessons leanredfrom these @om.