Introduction Intelligent computer-assisted instruction (ICAI) is a form of computer-based learning which incorporates artificial intelligence (AI) techniques such as knowledge representation and natural language processing in order to adapt better the computer instruction to the needs and interests of the students. An example of such a system is GUIDON, developed at Stanford University (Clancey, 1982) to help medical students learn how to diagnose a certain class of infectious diseases. Another is Anderson's (1985) LISP TUTOR, developed at Carnegie-Mellon University to teach undergraduates the basic programming features of the LISP computer language. ICAI is important to university teaching in the promise it offers as an important new tool in the gamut of learning resources an instructor can place at the disposal of his or her students to foster learning. Developments in ICAI can also be expected to have a beneficial influence on the way we conceive models of learning, and hence will contribute to shaping the future direction of educational technology proper.