Distributed Artificial Intelligence

Research Program 2000-2003

Problems

Methods of analysis and design for multi-agent systems

One of the major difficulties when trying to develop systems of cognitive agents is encountered during the phase of analysis and design. In some applications, it is very hard to determine the number and the nature of the agents to be implemented, and to select the needed communication and negociation protocols.

Model of a generic agent

The design of multi-agent systems would benefit from the existence of a generic model of agent. However, currently no such model is available.

Architecture of systems of cognitive agents

The architecture of such systems is an extremely difficult problem which requires to address a number of different issues. The principal issues are the following:

the concept of open systems

Complex systems must allow dynamic changes without perturbing the overall functioning. I.e., one must be able to add, suppress, or modify agents, without halting the system. The concept is in itself very simple, its implementation is very difficult.

multi-level architecture

In some cases, for distributed applications, one can envision to build groups of local agents , and distinguish between local interactions and interactions among agents belonging to different groups.

integration of human actors

In most applications of interest to us, the human element cannot be ignored. Our systems of agents are thus mixed and contain automatic agents and human agents. This led us to propose a proxy agent, a specific agent used as an interface between a human actor and the rest of the system.

transfer of knowledge among agents

When agents exchange not only data but also knowledge, one need to specify the concepts that are used during such exchanges. Modeling concepts belongs to the area of research dealing with ontologies.
 

design of development environments

The development of actual multi-agent platforms involves many problems, like that of communication protocols, negociation protocols, distribution among various machines. In addition one requires tools which are currently not available.