In the field of Artificial Intelligence (AI), the primary difference lies in their scope and relationship: problem-solving involves finding a plan, while planning is the process of determining the specific sequence of actions that constitute that plan.
Understanding Problem-Solving vs. Planning in AI
The concepts of problem-solving and planning are fundamental in AI, particularly in developing intelligent agents that can navigate environments and achieve goals.
Definitions from AI
According to the provided reference:
- Planning refers to determining a sequence of actions that are known to achieve a particular objective when performed. This is the output of the planning process.
- Problem solving is finding a plan for a task in an abstract domain. This is the process of searching for that sequence of actions.
Essentially, planning is about constructing the step-by-step guide (the plan), while problem-solving is the overarching activity of discovering or identifying such a guide to solve a given challenge.
The Relationship
Based on these definitions, problem-solving encompasses planning. A problem exists when the steps to achieve a goal are not immediately obvious or known. Problem-solving is the search process undertaken to uncover or create the necessary sequence of actions – the plan – that will lead to the desired outcome. As the reference states, "A problem is difficult if an appropriate sequence of steps to solve it is not known." Finding this unknown sequence is the problem-solving task.
Key Distinction
The core difference is that problem-solving is the search for a plan, while planning is the process of formulating or generating the sequence of actions once the path is being determined or is known in principle. Planning is a component or a result of the problem-solving effort.
Comparing Problem-Solving and Planning
Here is a simple comparison based on the provided definitions:
| Feature | Problem-Solving | Planning |
|---|---|---|
| Goal | To find a plan | To determine a sequence of actions |
| Scope | The overall task of addressing a challenge | The specific process of action sequencing |
| Relationship | Encompasses planning | Often the result or sub-process of problem-solving |
| Input | A task/problem in an abstract domain | An objective to be achieved |
| Output | A plan (sequence of actions) | A sequence of actions (the plan) |
In summary, problem-solving is the quest to discover what sequence of actions to take, and planning is the method used to map out the details of that sequence.
