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Future Enterprise- Evolutionary Design
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| Written by David Hunter Tow |
Harnessing the evolutionary biological process via software simulation, offers a rapid computational process that can learn and become expert in almost any knowledge domain. This provides a powerful means of solving complex engineering and design problems, often involving non-linear and chaotic processes,that traditional mathematical algorithms or numerical techniques have been unable to effectively solve.
Within an evolutionary algorithm the population of system variables acts as a reservoir of stored knowledge that can be applied on the fly within a dynamic environment. The method involves a two step iterative process. First, selection of an initial set of solutions or parameters for a particular problem and then the application of an operator to vary the mix of solution parameter options. The parent solutions then generate offspring. The resultant solutions are then evaluated for effectiveness or fitness and the best selected. The process is then repeated until the fitness or cost function or in engineering terms- the performance index, has been met to the required standard of optimisation. This two step process can generate innovative and 'best fit' solutions within tight time constraints.
Areas in which this branch of AI is now being applied include-
Creation of new hardware and electronic circuit designs. This application could play a pivotal role in designing future intelligent machines and processes- for example engineering robotic and maintenance algorithms that can predict, learn and implement solutions autonomously.
Also discovery and design of new drugs with customised conformations and topologies; optimisation of neural network structures for more effective pattern discrimination, learning and feedback; more acurate medical diagnosis; optimisation of internet and power grid topologies; streamlining supply chain management systems and workflows.
Future Trends
The enterprise of the future will utilise Evolutionary Design techniques in almost every aspect of its planning and operational processes, providing
seamless support to strategists, designers, engineers and marketers.
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