What is a key characteristic of an Expert System?

An Expert System is characterized by its use of rules and knowledge that are derived from human expertise in a specific domain. This characteristic allows the system to emulate the decision-making abilities of a human expert. By encoding the expertise of specialists into a set of rules, the Expert System can analyze complex data, reason through it, and provide solutions or recommendations that mirror those that a skilled human would generate.

The emphasis on rules based on human knowledge distinguishes Expert Systems from other types of AI, which may rely solely on data patterns or learning algorithms without explicit expert input. This makes them particularly valuable in fields where expert knowledge is critical, such as medicine, engineering, finance, and diagnostics.

The other options highlight different aspects that are not defining characteristics of Expert Systems. For example, while they can operate independently within their programmed guidelines, they typically integrate human expertise deeply into their rules. They are not inherently dependent on large datasets for training as machine learning models are; rather, they rely on the knowledge encoded from experts. Additionally, Expert Systems are not limited to functioning only within computer games, as they can be applied across various industries and applications beyond gaming.