An intelligent network service prototype using knowledge processing

An intelligent electronic secretary service is described which was developed as an example of providing communication services using artificial intelligence (AI) techniques. It processes incoming calls in much the same way as a human secretary. (1) It automatically modifies or supplements incorrect or missing user instructions in dealing with incoming calls. (2) It automatically extends its knowledge base for individual users using a learning function. Its knowledge bases include the following: knowledge about users to infer the user's status; knowledge about services to infer the effect of asking for a particular service; and knowledge about services used to infer whether the service asked for is suited to the user's status. The learning function is based on the process of induction.<>