The integration of connectionist models with knowledge-based systems: hybrid systems

The main difference between connectionist models and technologies of symbolic artificial intelligence is the form in which knowledge is represented i.e. symbolic vs. subsymbolic methods are used to represent knowledge. The paper clarifies and emphasizes this paradigmatic difference, in particular with respect to the so called hybrid systems. The terms symbolic and subsymbolic knowledge representation are specified. Furthermore, the central constituents of a subsymbolic representation are named. Necessary requirements for connectionist models are clarified. As hybrid systems in a strict sense those systems are identified that realize a conversion between subsymbolic and symbolic knowledge