Expert systems are computer programs that embody the expertise of human experts in order to consult on real World problems. Although the technology is still somewhat new and evolving, it appears that expert systems could be used in social services in the following ways: (1) to make expertise on important problems more widely available, (2) to train practitioners in new intervention methods, (3) to enhance the consistency with which interventions are applied, (4) to mine and refine practice wisdom, and (5) to develop and test practice theory. Legal and professional issues pertaining to how expert systems should be used in practice are still unresolved, and the impact of expert systems use on practice needs to be systematically evaluated.
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