Final answer:
Expert systems are computerized programs designed to mimic expert human reasoning for solving complex problems, using algorithms and heuristics based on analytical intelligence.
Step-by-step explanation:
Expert systems are computerized advisory programs that imitate the reasoning processes of experts in solving difficult problems. These systems incorporate human-software interactions and are particularly useful in complex automated systems where they support the decision-making processes of workers. Expert systems utilize cognitive skills to make decisions, often employing algorithms and various forms of heuristics to solve complex problems. By drawing upon a database of knowledge and using a set of rules, they simulate human thought and actions in specific domains.
One of the key elements of expert systems is their ability to use analytical intelligence, which is aligned with academic problem solving and computations. This intelligence enables expert systems to analyze and evaluate alternate solutions systematically, thereby assisting in complex decision-making scenarios that would benefit from the expertise of a human in that field. This type of artificial intelligence can be divided into categories such as reactive machines, limited memory, theory of mind, and self-aware systems.