A Python Pattern Matcher Project for an Introduction to Artificial Intelligence Course
Cynthia J. Martincic · 2012
After teaching an Introduction to Artificial Intelligence course and fielding complaints from students about having to learn LISP in order to complete a project for the course, a new project for the course was developed that utilized Python. The students implement the project in an incremental manner throughout the semester. The end result of the project is a rudimentary version of Eliza (Weizenbaum, 1966). The project demonstrates the implementation of a number of key concepts in artificial intelligence reasoning including the unification process, pattern matching and backtracking. Although this project was designed for an artificial intelligence course, it could also be used in a programming course.