Explore semiring-based approaches to soft constraint solving and argumentation in this 29-minute lecture by Stefano Bistarelli from the University of Perugia. Delve into the introduction of semirings in Constraint Satisfaction Problems (CSP) and argumentation frameworks. Discover how this algebraic structure can capture important extensions of both frameworks, particularly focusing on the transition from finding a solution to identifying an optimum. Learn about the applications of semirings in logic and algebra for query evaluation, providing insights into advanced problem-solving techniques in computer science and artificial intelligence.