This book presents a number of research efforts in combining AI methods or techniques to solve complex problems in various areas. The combination of different intelligent methods is an active research area in artificial intelligence (AI), since it is believed that complex problems can be more easily solved with integrated or hybrid methods, such as combinations of different soft computing methods (fuzzy logic, neural networks, and evolutionary algorithms) among themselves or with hard AI technologies like logic and rules; machine learning with soft computing and classical AI methods; and agent-based approaches with logic and non-symbolic approaches. Some of the combinations are already extensively used, including neuro-symbolic methods, neuro-fuzzy methods, and methods combining rule-based and case-based reasoning. However, other combinations are still being investigated, such as those related to the semantic web, deep learning and swarm intelligence algorithms. Most are connected with specific applications, while the rest are based on principles.
Dr. Ioannis Hatzilygeroudis received his Diploma in Mechanical & Electrical Engineering from the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA), Greece; his M.Sc. in Information Technology and his PhD in Artificial Intelligence from the University of Nottingham, UK. Currently he is a Professor at the Department of Computer Engineering and Informatics, University of Patras, Greece. He is an Associate Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal of Artificial Intelligence Tools (IJAIT). He has also been member of the PCs of over 100 AI related conferences. He has published over 120 papers in international journals, edited volumes and proceedings. His main research interests are: artificial intelligence, knowledge representation, expert systems, knowledge engineering, machine learning, intelligent educational systems, intelligent e-learning, sentiment analysis. He is member of IEEE, ACM, AIED Society and the Hellenic Artificial Intelligence society (EETN).
Dr. Isidoros Perikos received his Diploma of Computer Engineer in 2008 and his MSc and Ph.D. in Computer Science from the Department of Computer Engineering and Informatics, University of Patras, in 2010 and 2016 respectively. His main research interests include artificial intelligence, natural language processing, machine learning and affective computing. He has published over 60 papers in international journals, conferences and workshops proceedings. He has participated in several national and European R&D projects. He is a member of IEEE, ACM and the Hellenic Artificial Intelligence society.
Dr. Foteini Grivokostopoulou received her Degree in applied mathematics from the University of Crete in 2006, the MSc in Mathematics of Computation and Decision Making in 2010 from the University of Patras and Ph.D. in Computer Science from the Department of Computer Engineering and Informatics, University of Patras in 2016. She is currently a Post-Doctoral Researcher at the ArtificialIntelligence Group of the Department of Computer Engineering and Informatics. Her research interests are in the fields of Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Intelligent Tutoring Systems, Integration of ICT & Semantic Web Technologies in e-Learning and Educational Data Mining. She has published more than 50 papers in international conferences and journals. She is a member of IEEE and the Artificial Intelligence in Education (AIED) Society.
