AI in our DNA
AI has been part of PDC's DNA from the very beginning.
Whilst many companies are only now beginning to explore artificial intelligence, AI has been a cornerstone of PDC for decades.
The first product we brought to market was a Prolog compiler called Turbo Prolog, developed by our current CEO and CTO. It was not merely another development tool.
Turbo Prolog outperformed Japan’s ambitious Fifth Generation Computer Systems project in terms of the speed at which logic programmes could be executed, measured in LIPS (Logical Inferences Per Second) – and it did so on a standard PC.
At a time when expert systems were regarded as one of the most promising areas within artificial intelligence, logic programming made it possible to develop systems capable of reasoning, making decisions and handling complex problems.
That is why artificial intelligence is not a new field for PDC. AI has been part of our approach to software development since the company’s inception – and it remains so today.
From expert systems to modern AI
Artificial intelligence is not a single technology. It is a collection of different disciplines, each of which solves different types of problems.
We do not choose the technology first and the problem second. We start with the customer’s challenge and apply the methods that deliver the best result.
This approach enables us both to deliver standardised products and to develop specialised solutions for complex challenges where traditional systems are insufficient.
We currently use a wide range of AI technologies, including:
Machine learning & neural networks
Techniques that learn from data to recognize patterns, make predictions, and improve performance without being explicitly programmed for every task.
Heuristic search algorithms
Rules or estimates to efficiently find a good solution by focusing the search on the most promising options.
Constraint logic
Solves problems by defining rules and restrictions (constraints) that possible solutions must satisfy.
Intelligent agents
Software that perceives its environment, make decisions, and take actions to achieve specific goals.
Prolog and logic programming
Solves problems by expressing facts and rules, then using logical reasoning to derive answers to queries.
AI in practice
when reality is complex
For decades, PDC has been developing solutions for organisations where planning, coordination and optimisation are business-critical processes.
In such environments, the challenge is rarely a lack of data. The challenge lies in managing thousands of rules, constraints, dependencies and resources simultaneously.
This requires more than just automation. It requires intelligent systems that can analyse situations, identify opportunities and find solutions within the constraints imposed by people, legislation and business. This is precisely where PDC’s experience with AI and logic-based technologies comes into its own.
The next generation of AI is hybrid
At PDC, we do not see the future as a choice between traditional AI and modern AI. We see the future as a hybrid.
Machine learning
Extremely effective at identifying patterns, analysing large amounts of data and predicting future events.
Logic-based systems
Excel when rules must be followed, decisions need to be explainable, and the consequences of errors are significant.
That is why we are already working today with what is often referred to as Neurosymbolic AI – a combination of statistical models and logical reasoning.
We believe that the most powerful solutions emerge when different AI technologies work together.
A future example
An airport where a statistical AI predicts delays based on weather data, whilst a logic-based AI instantly recalculates the entire day’s flight schedule and ensures that all rules, safety procedures and operational requirements continue to be met.
From AI assistants to AI agents
AI agents
The next step is AI agents, which can carry out specific tasks on behalf of the user under human supervision and approval.
AI assistants
The first AI assistants have already been introduced to help users work more efficiently in their day-to-day tasks.
The aim is not to replace people but to free up time, reduce complexity and make advanced systems easier to use.
PDC’s AI journey did not begin with generative AI.
It began with logic, reasoning and expert systems decades ago.
Today, we combine this heritage with modern AI technologies to create solutions that are not only intelligent, but also reliable, explainable and applicable in the complex environments of the real world.
We do not believe in AI as an end in itself. We believe in AI as a tool for solving real-world problems, enabling better decisions and supporting the people who keep society’s most vital functions running every day.
Want to see reliable AI in action?
Talk to us about planning, coordination and optimisation in your operation.