what is heuristic in ai

What is a heuristic in AI? Explain it in simple terms

In the world of artificial intelligence (AI), heuristic is a term often associated with research and problem solving. When you think of "what is a heuristic in AI," it refers to rules or shortcuts that a computer uses to solve a problem quickly and intelligently. These rules enable human-like predictions, making it faster to find a solution, even if the answer isn't always exactly right.

For example, in a chess game, if an AI were to examine every possible move, it would take a long time to win the match. However, with the help of a heuristic function, the AI ​​chooses the necessary moves that can bring it closer to victory. This same logic is used in search algorithms (such as the A* algorithm), where the heuristic value determines which route should be chosen first.

The advantages of heuristics are that they speed up problem solving and can provide a near-correct solution in a short time. However, they also have limitations – they may not always provide a perfect answer, but they are crucial for large and complex AI systems.

Practical example – When and how to use heuristics?

For example, if you need to choose the fastest route on Google Maps, the AI ​​uses a heuristic algorithm (A*) to compare different routes and suggest the most likely option. You can also use heuristic rules to speed up your personal project if there are too many options.

Helpful tip: Whenever a problem takes a long time to solve, adopt a heuristic approach – this will make your AI or coding both faster and smarter!

For more information, you can read about Heuristic on Wikipedia in detail.