Automatic knowledge acquisition from subject matter experts

This paper presents current results in developing a practical approach, methodology and tool, for the development of knowledge bases and agents by subject matter experts, with limited assistance from knowledge engineers. This approach is based on mixed-initiative reasoning that integrates the complementary knowledge and reasoning styles of a subject matter expert and a learning agent, and on a division of responsibilities for those elements of knowledge engineering for which they have the most aptitude. The approach was evaluated at the US Army War College, demonstrating very good results and a high potential for overcoming the knowledge acquisition bottleneck.