The Ada-AI interface

In this paper we investigate the interactions between artificial intelligence and Ada. The Ada language has been mandated for use in all U.S. Department of Defense mission critical embedded systems. Artificial intelligence has become an important ingredient in such systems. Currently, LISP is the language of choice among DoD AI implementors, and its continued use may retard the expected widespread use of Ada. However, many algorithms used in typical AI applications are procedural in nature, and thus are better suited to languages like Ada. Key pivotal questions addressed here are: What are the specific linguistic needs of AI applications software development? What has Ada to offer? Is there a missing link between AI and Ada? One main conclusion drawn is that Ada provides adequate support for the conventional techniques used in AI (which represent 75 percent to 80 percent of typical AI code); the other non-conventional techniques may not be directly supported by the language itself but through the programming environment (APSE), the program library, and the run-time system. Ada® is a registered trademark of US DoD, AJPO