INF2D: 29: Decision Making Under Uncertainty

We now start to combine the probabilistic model of belief that we have been studying for the past few weeks with a numeric representation of preferences, to build a model of rational decision making in an uncertain environment.  This folder presents how to represent and reason about decision making in a static uncertain environment.  So it combines a representation of (probabilistic) belief as a Bayesian Network with a Utility Function.  This combination is known as a Decision Network.

The folder consists of the following material:

• two videos of short lectures.  They cover:
  1. Preferences and Rationality
  2. Decision Networks
• Some required reading from Russell and Norvig
• A quiz that tests your understanding of the material presented here.

Please watch the videos or attend the in-persion lecture, do the required reading, and attempt the quiz.  If there is anything you don't understand, then please ask your question at the lecture or post it on piazza.

Lecture Slides

Required Reading

R&N Section 16.1–16.3, 16.5  or NIE Chapter (16) "Making Simple Decisions", Sections 1–3 and 5.

NOTE: The abbreviation R&N refers to:

“Artificial Intelligence: A Modern Approach” Third Edition, Russell R & Norvig P, Prentice Hall, 2010 (R&N).

The abbreviation NIE stands for the following edition of the same book:

“Artificial Intelligence: A Modern Approach” Third Edition, Pearson New International Edition, Russell R & Norvig P, Pearson, 2014.

Quiz 29: Decision Making under Uncertainty

These questions are designed to test your understanding of the above course content; doing this quiz does not contribute to your overall grade.  Some questions require a text answer.  You can ask for formative feedback on these from your tutor or on piazza.  Other questions are multiple choice or they require a numeric answer: you will get immediate feedback for these. Please don't attempt this quiz until you have acquainted yourself with this lecture and the required reading.

You must be logged onto Learn to do this quiz.

Video Lectures Recorded by Prof Alex Lascarides