An Introduction to MultiAgent Systems

by Wooldridge, Michael

• ISBN13: 9780470519462
• ISBN10: 0470519460
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2009-06-22
• Publisher: Wiley

Summary

The study of multi-agent systems (MAS) focuses on systems in which many intelligent agents interact with each other. These agents are considered to be autonomous entities such as software programs or robots. Their interactions can either be cooperative (for example as in an ant colony) or selfish (as in a free market economy). This book assumes only basic knowledge of algorithms and discrete maths, both of which are taught as standard in the first or second year of computer science degree programmes. A basic knowledge of artificial intelligence would useful to help understand some of the issues, but is not essential. The book's main aims are: To introduce the student to the concept of agents and multi-agent systems, and the main applications for which they are appropriate To introduce the main issues surrounding the design of intelligent agents To introduce the main issues surrounding the design of a multi-agent society To introduce a number of typical applications for agent technology

Author Biography

Michael Wooldridge is a Professor of Computer Science at the University of Liverpool, UK. He obtained his PhD in 1992 for work in the theory of multiagent systems and has, since then, been active in multiagent systems research.

Table of Contents

SETTING THE SCENE.

Introduction.

The Vision Thing

Some Views of theField

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

INTELLIGENT AUTONOMOUS AGENTS.

Intelligent Agents

Intelligent Agents

Agents and Objects

Agents and Expert Systems

Agents as Intentional Systems

Abstract Architectures for Intelligent Agents

HowtoTell an Agent What to Do

Deductive Reasoning Agents.

Agents as Theorem Provers

Agent-Oriented Programming

ConcurrentMetateM

Practical Reasoning Agents.

Practical Reasoning=Deliberation+Means-Ends Reasoning

Means-EndsReasoning

Implementing a Practical Reasoning Agent

The Procedural Reasoning System

Reactive and Hybrid Agents.

Reactive Agents

Hybrid Agents

COMMUNICATION AND COOPERATION.

Understanding Each Other.

Ontology Fundamentals

Ontology Languages

RDF

Constructing an Ontology

Software Tools for Ontologies

Communicating.

Speech Acts

Agent Communication Languages

Working Together.

Cooperative Distributed Problem Solving

Task Sharing and Result Sharing

Result Sharing

Combining Task and Result Sharing

Handling Inconsistency

Coordination

Multiagent Planning and Synchronization

Methodologies.

When is an Agent-Based Solution Appropriate?

Agent-Oriented Analysis and Design

Pitfalls of Agent Development

Mobile Agents

Applications.

Agents for Work flow and Business Process Management

Agents for Distributed Sensing

Agents for Information Retrieval and Management

Agents for Electronic Commerce

Agents for Human-Computer Interfaces

Agents for Virtual Environments

Agents for Social Simulation

Agents for X

Multiagent Decision Making.

Multiagent Interactions.

Utilities and Preferences

Setting the Scene

Solution Concepts and Solution Properties

Competitive and Zero-Sum Interactions

The PrisonerÆs Dilemma

Other Symmetric 2 x 2 Interactions

Representing Multiagent Scenarios

Dependence Relations in Multiagent Systems

Making Group Decisions.

Social Welfare Functions and Social Choice Functions

Voting Procedures

Desirable Properties for Voting Procedures

Strategic Manipulation

Forming Coalitions.

Cooperative Games

Computational and Representational Issues

Modular Representations

Representations for Simple Games

Coalitional Games with Goals

Coalition Structure Formation

Allocating Scarce Resources.

Classifying Auctions

Auctions for Single Items

Combinatorial Auctions

Auctions in Practice

Bargaining.

Negotiation Parameters

Bargaining for Resource Division

Bargaining for Task Allocation

Bargaining for Resource Allocation

Arguing.

Types of Argument

Abstract Argumentation

Deductive Argumentation Systems

Dialogue Systems

Implemented Argumentation Systems

Logical Foundations.

Logics for Knowledge and Belief

Logics for Mental States

Logics for Cooperation

Putting Logic to Work

V Coda

A History Lesson

Afterword

Table of Contents provided by Publisher. All Rights Reserved.