Artificial intelligence and design

Developments in computer science, especially in artificial intelligence (AI) and related areas of advanced computing, provide a unique opportunity to push beyond the present level of computer-aided automation technology and attain substantial advances in the understanding and mechanization of design processes. The general nature of design problems and the scientific issues involved in studying them with the help of AI approaches are discussed. A number of research problems that need special attention are identified. Examples of current AI work on specific design tasks are presented. New research directions are discussed in the context of new design tasks of increased complexity where domain knowledge is largely intractable