COMP4416 Intelligent Agents

Semester 2, 2008

Agents are computational entities that act autonomously in a dynamically changing environment in order to achieve their goals. This course covers the foundations, engineering and applications of intelligent software agents, with an emphasis on theories and architectures for rational agents and on personal assistant applications. Topics include modelling intention, BDI (Belief, Desire, Intention) agent architectures, methodologies for engineering multi-agent systems, communication, coordination and negotiation in multi-agent systems, and applications of agents in electronic commerce and interface design.

This course will involve in-depth and intensive reading, and assume a high level of mathematical maturity and critical analysis. Assessment is based on participation in class discussion, presentation and essay.

Prerequisites: COMP3411 or COMP9414/9814 with a mark of at least 65, or equivalent

Note: For an overview of intelligent agents and applications, look at the paper on agent technology by Hyacinth Nwana, which we will read in Week 2. If you find you cannot enrol because of a quota problem, a prerequisite problem or any other problem, please send me an e-mail. Enrolments are generally not finalized until a few weeks into semester.

Administrative Information

Units of Credit: 6

Handbook Entry

Timetable: Monday 2.00-3.30 (K17 B01); Thursday 11.00-12.30 (K17 B01)

Consultation: Wednesday 2.00-3.00 (J17 433), Friday 2.00-3.00 (J17 433) or by appointment

Plagiarism Information

Current Students

Course Schedule

Course Resources

Course Evaluation and Development

Educational Information

This course has the aim of preparing students to undertake research in a variety of areas of software agents, ranging from the logical and theoretical to the current applications of agent technology. Students will learn by reading and discussing research level papers in a seminar style forum, and will be expected to summarize, present and lead the discussion of at least one paper. Assessment is based on class participation, presentation and an essay on a topic chosen after discussion with the Lecturer in Charge.

Topics will be chosen from the areas of rational agency and intention (focusing on Bratman's theory of intention), BDI architectures, agent oriented programming methodologies and tools, teamwork, communication and negotiation in multi-agent systems, and applications of agent technology in e-commerce, interface design and personal assistants. More detail on the course topics can be found by consulting the detailed reading list.

Student Learning Outcomes

• Generic Outcomes
  • Development of critical thinking and analytical ability
  • Development of ability to synthesize complex material
  • Development of ability to construct coherent arguments
  • Development of ability to explain complex concepts
  • Development of presentation and communication skills
  • Development of listening skills and ability to contribute to academic discussion
• Specific Outcomes
  • Knowledge of basic ideas in agent-based computing
  • Knowledge of agent theory and its limitations
  • Knowledge of approaches to engineering agent systems
  • Knowledge of broad areas of applications of agents

The class is conducted as a seminar style discusion group, with two one and a half hour sessions per week. Students are expected to read and discuss each paper in class, to present and lead the discussion in one session, and to write a critical summary and evaluation of a group of papers in a topic area different from that of the presented paper. Essay topics may be drawn from the course topic list (see the course readings), or an alternative topic may be chosen in consultation with the Lecturer in Charge.

Assessment Information

Assessment is based on a mixture of class participation, presentation and critical essay (around 5000 words), weighted as follows.

• Class participation: 20% (2% per week over 10 weeks)
• Presentation: 30%
• Critical essay: 50% (Due date: October 24, 2008)

Assessment Criteria for Presentations and Essays