creating an AI engine for a simple game

[naughtysriram]

hya friends,

i have created a number based game called 'numfun'. it is a very
simple game of course. first there is a buffer array 4x4 (level 1).

1 2 3 4
5 6 7 8
9 10 11 12
13 14 15 *

the 16th square is blank represented by a *. i use another array 4x4,
in which all the numbers have jumbled positions say

1 4 8 6
7 3 10 14
* 11 9 2
12 5 13 15

the user has move numbers into the empty '*' location and finally
approach the positions of buffer array.

the game works perfectly fine, but the thing is i am trying to upgrade
it with an AI engine. i have few idea for construction of the AI
engine and i need some help.

thanks in advance..