equilibrium

Terms from Artificial Intelligence: humans at the heart of algorithms

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Equilibrium is a stae where all forces are equal, or in a {[robotic}} or agent system, when no further rules fire, so that there is no further change. This may persist for ever, but if the situation changes or there are external events or actions, the sustes may non longer be in equilibrium. Positions of equilibrium may be stable, when small changes mean that the system does not change, or changes very littel, For example, a heavy concrete block would need a lot of force to tip ovre. Other systems are in unstable equilibrium, for example, a pole carefully balanced. A related concept is homeostasis, the tendency of sume systems to try to constantly move towards near equilibrium.

Used on Chap. 15: page 360