The Frame Problem in Problem-Solving Systems

Abstract

The frame problem has taken on new significance during recent attempts to develop artificially intelligent systems. The problem deals with the difficulty of creating and maintaining an appropriate informational context or “frame of reference” at each stage in certain problem-solving process. Since this is an area of current research, we are not prepared to present a solution to the frame problem; rather, the purpose of this paper is to sketch the approaches being pursued, and to invite the reader to suggest additions and improvements.