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AI

Uploaded by

saurabhjaiswal619
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Content

1. Introduction

2. Key Concepts

3. Types of Heuristic Search Algorithms

4. Applications of Heuristic Search

5. Limitations of Heuristic Search

6. Conclusion

7. References

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1. Introduction

Heuristic search is a method used in computer science and artificial intelligence


(AI) to find solutions more efficiently when solving complex computational
problems. It involves using a "heuristic," a rule of thumb or a guiding principle, to
make decisions that lead the search algorithm towards the goal faster than a
traditional search would.

Heuristic search techniques are employed when problems are too large for
exhaustive or brute-force methods. They are especially valuable in AI for solving
optimization problems, decision-making tasks, and games where numerous
potential states or moves need to be evaluated.

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2. Key Concepts

• Heuristic: A heuristic is a guiding rule or a simplified approach that helps in


solving a problem faster. It doesn't guarantee an optimal solution, but it aims to
provide a good enough solution within a reasonable time. Heuristics are based
on insights, experiences, or specific characteristics of the problem.
• Search Space: The search space is the domain of possible solutions, or states,
for a problem. In heuristic search, algorithms aim to traverse this space
efficiently, using heuristics to avoid exploring areas unlikely to lead to the goal.
• Evaluation Function (h(n)): This function estimates how close a given state is
to the goal. It helps the algorithm prioritize which states to explore. The function
varies depending on the specific problem, but the goal is to minimize or
maximize this heuristic value.

3. Types of Heuristic Search Algorithms

• Greedy Best-First Search: This algorithm uses a heuristic function to explore


the most promising nodes first. It always selects the next node that has the
smallest estimated cost to reach the goal, according to the heuristic function.

o Advantages: Fast and efficient for finding a path.


o Disadvantages: Can get stuck in local optima and may not always find
the optimal solution.

• A Search*: A* search is one of the most popular and widely used heuristic
search algorithms. It uses both the actual cost from the start to the current node
(g(n)) and the estimated cost to the goal (h(n)) to make decisions.

o Evaluation Function: f(n) = g(n) + h(n)


o Advantages: A* is guaranteed to find the optimal solution if the
heuristic is admissible (it never overestimates the true cost).
o Disadvantages: Can be memory-intensive since it stores all generated
nodes in memory.

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• Hill Climbing Search: Hill climbing is a local search technique where the
algorithm starts from an arbitrary solution and iteratively moves to neighboring
solutions that improve the objective function. The process stops when no further
improvement is possible.

o Advantages: Simple and easy to implement.


o Disadvantages: It can get stuck in local optima, plateaus, or ridges.

• Simulated Annealing: Simulated annealing introduces randomness into the


search process to avoid getting stuck in local optima. It allows for occasional
exploration of worse solutions to escape local minima, but over time the
probability of accepting worse solutions decreases.

o Advantages: Avoids local optima and can find better solutions than hill
climbing.
o Disadvantages: May require careful tuning of parameters and can be
slower than other methods.

4. Applications of Heuristic Search

• Pathfinding: Heuristic search algorithms are widely used in pathfinding


problems, such as in GPS navigation systems, video game AI, and robotics. A*
search is particularly popular for finding the shortest path in such applications.
• Game Playing: Heuristic search techniques are central to algorithms used in
game AI. For example, in games like chess, where there are millions of possible
board states, heuristic evaluation functions help the AI prune the search space
and focus on the most promising moves.
• Optimization Problems: Many real-world problems in engineering, logistics,
and economics involve optimizing some criteria. Heuristic algorithms, such as
simulated annealing and genetic algorithms, are used to solve problems like the
traveling salesman, scheduling, and resource allocation.

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• Artificial Intelligence: AI systems use heuristic search in decision-making
tasks, planning, and problem-solving. In complex domains like medical
diagnosis or financial modeling, heuristics guide the search for the best
outcomes among numerous possibilities.

5. Limitations of Heuristic Search

• Optimality: Heuristic searches do not always guarantee the best (optimal)


solution. Depending on the nature of the heuristic, the solution may be
suboptimal.
• Local Optima: Heuristic methods like greedy search and hill climbing can get
stuck in local optima, which prevent them from finding the global optimum.
• Heuristic Design: Designing a good heuristic function is challenging and
problem-specific. A poorly designed heuristic may lead to poor performance or
incorrect solutions.
• Memory Consumption: Some heuristic search algorithms, such as A*, can
consume significant amounts of memory, limiting their practicality for very
large search spaces.

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6. Conclusion

Heuristic search techniques are indispensable for solving complex problems in artificial
intelligence, optimization, and decision-making. They provide practical solutions
where exhaustive search would be computationally infeasible. However, the efficiency
and effectiveness of heuristic
search depend on the quality
of the heuristic used and the
nature of the problem. While
they may not always
guarantee the optimal
solution, they are vital tools
for approximating good
solutions in a reasonable
time.

7. References

• Russell, S. J., & Norvig, P. (2020). Artificial Intelligence: A Modern Approach.


Pearson.
• Pearl, J. (1984). Heuristics: Intelligent Search Strategies for Computer Problem
Solving. Addison-Wesley.

Image-
• https://techvidvan.com/tutorials/ai-heuristic-search/
• https://aiperceiver.com/heuristic-search-techniques-in-ai/
• https://www.javatpoint.com/heuristic-techniques
• https://www.simplypsychology.org/how-to-have-a-better-relationship

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