Alle Publikationen
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2018
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(2018): Social decisions and fairness change when people’s interests are represented by autonomous agents. In: Autonomous Agents and Multi-Agent Systems 32 (1), S. 163-187. DOI: 10.1007/s10458-017-9376-6
Abstract: There has been growing interest on agents that represent people's interests or act on their behalf such as automated negotiators, self-driving cars, or drones. Even though people will interact often with others via these agent representatives, little is known about whether people's behavior changes when acting through these agents, when compared to direct interaction with others. Here we show that people's decisions will change in important ways because of these agents; specifically, we showed that interacting via agents is likely to lead people to behave more fairly, when compared to direct interaction with others. We argue this occurs because programming an agent leads people to adopt a broader perspective, consider the other side's position, and rely on social norms-such as fairness-to guide their decision making. To support this argument, we present four experiments: in Experiment 1 we show that people made fairer offers in the ultimatum and impunity games when interacting via agent representatives, when compared to direct interaction; in Experiment 2, participants were less likely to accept unfair offers in these games when agent representatives were involved; in Experiment 3, we show that the act of thinking about the decisions ahead of time-i.e., under the so-called "strategy method"-can also lead to increased fairness, even when no agents are involved; and, finally, in Experiment 4 we show that participants were less likely to reach an agreement with unfair counterparts in a negotiation setting. We discuss theoretical implications for our understanding of the nature of people's social behavior with agent representatives, as well as practical implications for the design of agents that have the potential to increase fairness in society.
2017
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(2017): Engineering the emergence of norms. A review. In: The Knowledge Engineering Review 32. DOI: 10.1017/S0269888917000169
Abstract: Complex systems often exhibit emergent behaviour, unexpected macro-level behaviour caused by the interaction of micro-level components. In multiagent systems, these micro-level components may be autonomous agents and the emergent behaviour may be expressed as norms-patterns of behaviour that arise among the agents in response to their environment and each other. These emergent norms may be beneficial (e.g. by encouraging cooperative behaviour), or detrimental, but in either case it is useful to recognize these norms as they emerge and either encourage or discourage their establishment. We term this process engineering the emergence of norms and have identified three steps: the identification of a possible norm, evaluation of its benefit and its encouragement (or discouragement). This paper is an attempt to provide a survey of existing research related to these steps. We also provide an analysis of the approaches based upon their suitability for a variety of normative systems: we examine the requirements for agents to have autonomy over their choice of norms, the degree of observability required in the system, and the norm enforcement methods. The paper concludes with an discussion of open issues.
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(2017): An Evolutionary Transfer Reinforcement Learning Framework for Multiagent Systems. In: IEEE Transactions on Evolutionary Computation 21 (4), S. 601-615. DOI: 10.1109/TEVC.2017.2664665
Abstract: In this paper, we present an evolutionary transfer reinforcement learning framework (eTL) for developing intelligent agents capable of adapting to the dynamic environment of multiagent systems (MASs). Specifically, we take inspiration from Darwin's theory of natural selection and Universal Darwinism as the principal driving forces that govern the evolutionary knowledge transfer process. The essential backbone of our proposed eTL comprises several meme-inspired evolutionary mechanisms, namely meme representation, meme expression, meme assimilation, meme internal evolution, and meme external evolution. Our proposed approach constructs social selection mechanisms that are modeled after the principles of human learning to identify appropriate interacting partners. eTL also models the intrinsic parallelism of natural evolution and errors that are introduced due to the physiological limits of the agents' ability to perceive differences, so as to generate "growth" and "variation" of knowledge that agents have of the world, thus exhibiting higher adaptivity capabilities on solving complex problems. To verify the efficacy of the proposed paradigm, comprehensive investigations of the proposed eTL against existing state-of-the-art TL methods in MAS, are conducted on the "minefield navigation tasks" platform and the "Unreal Tournament 2004" first person shooter computer game, in which homogeneous and heterogeneous learning machines are considered.
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(2017): Reasoning about Imprecise Beliefs in Multi-Agent Systems with PDT Logic. In: KI - Künstliche Intelligenz 31 (1), S. 63-71. DOI: 10.1007/s13218-016-0455-7Keywords: abductive reasoning, Abduktion, abduktives Schließen, Agenten, Agenten-Überzeugung, Angemessenheit von Überzeugungen, Bedeutung, Belief updates, deutsche Community, Epistemische Logik/Modallogik/Doxastische Logik/Wissenslogik, Formalisierung, frame semantics, imprecise beliefs, Imprecise probabilities, Intellektualtechnik, Knowledge representation, Kogn. Architektur, kognitive Architekturen, Künstliche Intelligenz, Mensch-Technik-Relationen (MTR), model, Modell, Modellierung, multi-agent systems, Multi-Agenten-Systeme, PDT Logic, Probabilistic Doxastic Temporal Logic, Realtechnik, Technik, Ungenaue Überzeugungen, Wahrscheinlichkeit
2016
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(2016): Epistemic logics for sceptical agents. In: JOURNAL OF LOGIC AND COMPUTATION 26 (6), S. 1815-1841
Abstract: In this article, we introduce an epistemic modal operator modelling knowledge over distributive non-associative full Lambek calculus with a negation. Our approach is based on the relational semantics for substructural logics: we interpret the elements of a relational frame as information states consisting of collections of data. The principal epistemic relation between the states is the one of being a reliable source of information, on the basis of which we explicate the notion of knowledge as information confirmed by a reliable source. From this point of view it is natural to define the epistemic operator formally as the backward-looking diamond modality. The framework is a generalization and extension of the system of relevant epistemic logic proposed by Majer and Peliš (2009, college Publications, 123–135) and developed by Bílková et al. (2010, college Publications, 22–38). The system is modular in the sense that the axiomatization of the epistemic operator is sound and complete with respect to a wide class of background logics, which makes the system potentially applicable to a wide class of epistemic contexts. Our system admits a weak form of logical omniscience (the monotonicity rule), but avoids stronger ones (a necessitation rule and a K-axiom) as well as some closure properties discussed in normal epistemic logics (like positive and negative introspection). For these properties we provide characteristic frame conditions, so that they can be present in the system if they are considered to be appropriate for some specific epistemic context. We also prove decidability of the weakest epistemic logic we consider, using a filtration method. Finally, we outline further extensions of our framework to a multiagent system
Keywords: Agenten, Agenten-Überzeugung, Disziplin, epistemic modal operator, Epistemische Logik/Modallogik/Doxastische Logik/Wissenslogik, Epistemische Operatoren, frame semantics, Intellektualtechnik, Kogn. Architektur, kognitive Architekturen, Künstliche Intelligenz, Mensch-Technik-Relationen (MTR), mögliche Welten, mögliche Welten Theorie, multi-agent systems, Multi-Agenten-Systeme, Philosophie, possible worlds theory, Realtechnik, relational frame, Sprache, Sprachtheorie, Sprachverstehen, Technik -
(2016): Norm-based mechanism design. In: Artificial Intelligence 239, S. 97-142. DOI: 10.1016/j.artint.2016.07.001
Abstract: The increasing presence of autonomous (software) systems in open environments in general, and the complex interactions taking place among them in particular, require flexible control and coordination mechanisms to guarantee desirable overall system level properties without limiting the autonomy of the involved systems. In artificial intelligence, and in particular in the multi-agent systems research field, social laws, norms, and sanctions have been widely proposed as flexible means for coordinating the behaviour of autonomous agents in multi-agent settings. Recently, many languages have been proposed to specify and implement norm-based environments where the behaviour of autonomous agents is monitored, evaluated based on norms, and possibly sanctioned if norms are violated. In this paper, we first introduce a formal setting of multi-agent environments based on concurrent game structures which abstracts from concrete specification languages. We extend this formal setting with norms and sanctions, and show how concepts from mechanism design can be used to formally analyse and verify whether a specific behaviour can be enforced (or implemented) if agents follow their subjective preferences. We relate concepts from mechanism design to our setting, where agents' preferences are modelled by linear time temporal logic (LTL) formulae. This proposal bridges the gap between norms and mechanism design allowing us to formally study and analyse the effect of norms and sanctions on the behaviour of rational agents. The proposed machinery can be used to check whether specific norms and sanctions have the designer's expected effect on the rational agents' behaviour or if a set of norms and sanctions that realise the effect exists at all. We investigate the computational complexity of our framework, focusing on its implementation in Nash equilibria and we show that it is located at the second and third level of the polynomial hierarchy. Despite this high complexity, on the positive side, these results are in line with existing complexity results of related problems. Finally, we propose a concrete executable specification language that can be used to implement multi agent environments. We show that the proposed specification language generates specific concurrent game structures and that the abstract multi-agent environment setting can be applied to study and analyse the behaviour of multi-agent programs with and without norms.
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(2016): The Mechanisms of Emergence. In: Philosophy of the Social Sciences 34 (2), S. 260-282. DOI: 10.1177/0048393103262553
Abstract: This article focuses on emergence in social systems. The author begins by proposing a new tool to explore the mechanisms of social emergence: multi agent based computer simulation. He then draws on philosophy of mind to develop an account of social emergence that raises potential problems for the methodological individualism of both social mechanism and of multi agent simulation. He then draws on various complexity concepts to propose a set of criteria whereby one can determine whether a given social mechanism generates emergent properties, in the sense that their explanation cannot be reduced to a mechanistic account of individuals and their interactions. This combined account helps to resolve the competing claims of methodological individualists and social realists. The author's conclusion is that the scope of mechanistic explanation may be limited due to the extreme complexity of many social systems.
Keywords: complexity, Disziplin, emergence, Emergenz, Emergenz in sozialen Systemen, Im (wissenschaftlichen) Diskurs, Interaktion, Komplexität, Komplexitätsforschung, Künstliche Intelligenz, Mensch-Technik-Relationen (MTR), multi agent based computer simulation, multi-agent systems, Multi-Agenten-Systeme, Ontologische Differenzierungen: Tier, Mensch, Maschine, Philosophie, philosophy of mind, Realtechnik, Reflexionen über MTR, simulation, social realism, social systems, soziale Mechanismen, Soziale Systeme, Technik 2014
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(2014): A review of norms and normative multiagent systems. In: TheScientificWorldJournal. DOI: 10.1155/2014/684587
DOI: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25110739 Abstract: Norms and normative multiagent systems have become the subjects of interest for many researchers. Such interest is caused by the need for agents to exploit the norms in enhancing their performance in a community. The term norm is used to characterize the behaviours of community members. The concept of normative multiagent systems is used to facilitate collaboration and coordination among social groups of agents. Many researches have been conducted on norms that investigate the fundamental concepts, definitions, classification, and types of norms and normative multiagent systems including normative architectures and normative processes. However, very few researches have been found to comprehensively study and analyze the literature in advancing the current state of norms and normative multiagent systems. Consequently, this paper attempts to present the current state of research on norms and normative multiagent systems and propose a norm's life cycle model based on the review of the literature. Subsequently, this paper highlights the significant areas for future work.
Keywords: Design, Disziplin, Favoriten, Humans, Ingenieurswissenschaft, Künstliche Intelligenz, Mensch-Technik-Relationen (MTR), Modelle/Theorien, Models, Theoretical, Multi-Agenten-Systeme, norm-based meachanism design, Normen, Normenwandel, Realtechnik, Social Norms, Soziale Angemessenheit, Technik -
(2014): Social Autopoiesis?. In: CONSTRUCTIVIST FOUNDATIONS (9/2), S. 153-166
Abstract: In previous papers, I suggested six rules proposed by Varela, Maturana and Uribe as a validation test to assess the autopoietic nature of a complex dynamic system. Identifying possible non-biological autopoietic systems is harder than merely assessing self-organization, existence of embodied boundaries and some observable autonomous behavioural capabilities: any rigorous assessment should include a close observation of the "intra-boundaries" phenomenology in terms of components' self-production, their spatial distribution and the temporal occurrence of interaction events. >Problem . Under which physical and components' relational conditions can some social systems be properly considered as autopoietic unities compliant with the six rules? >Results . Dynamic systems can be classified according to "degrees of autonomous behaviour" that they may acquire as a result of the emergence of organizational closure (i.e., autonomy). Also, the different "degrees of attainable systemic autonomy" depend on the "degrees of autonomy" shown by a system's dynamic components. For human social systems, a necessary balance between individuals' autonomy and the heteronomous behaviour brought about on people by social norms (laws, culture, tradition or coercion) sets limits to the "degree of systemic autonomy" that human organizations may acquire. Therefore social systems, defined as dynamic systems composed of physical agents, could not attain the high "levels of systemic autonomy" ascribable to autopoietic systems without constraining the autonomy of agents to "levels" that are incompatible with spontaneous human behaviour. Also, social organizations seen as composed of physical agents interacting in physical space cannot be construed as autopoietic systems. Alternatively, if seen as composed of "process-like" entities, where agents participate as actors within processes, some social systems could be described as autopoietic wholes existing in the abstract space in which we distinguish interactions between processes, provided that we can assess compliance with the rules for some specific cases. >Implications . These conclusions contribute to the debate on the possible autopoietic nature of some human social systems and to grasping the opportunity to shift focus to the more interesting issue of the "degrees of systemic autonomy" that human organizations could acquire (if needed) without imposing unbearable limitations on the autonomy of human actors. Also, the conceptual framework of this explanatory approach could be used in practical terms to assist the development of new dynamic modelling languages capable of simulating social systems.
Keywords: autonomy, Autopoiesis, causation, complex dynamic system, degrees of autonomous behaviour, Disziplin, heteronomy, Luhmann, Maturana, Multi-Agenten-Systeme, organizational closure, Philosophie, self-organization, simulating social systems, simulation, social system, social systems, Soziologie, Technikphilosophie, Varela 2005
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(2005): Nonlinearity, chaos, and complexity. The dynamics of natural and social systems. Oxford; New York: Oxford University Press. Online verfügbar unter http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&scope=site&db=nlebk&db=nlabk&AN=177022
Abstract: Covering a broad range of topics, this text provides a comprehensive survey of the modelling of chaotic dynamics and complexity in the natural and social sciences. Its attention to models in both the physical and social sciences and the detailed philosophical approach make this an unique text in the midst of many current books on chaos and complexity. Part 1 deals with the mathematical model as an instrument of investigation. The general meaning of modelling and, more specifically, questions concerning linear modelling are discussed. Part 2 deals with the theme of chaos and the origin of chaotic dynamics. Part 3 deals with the theme of complexity: a property of the systems and of their models which is intermediate between stability and chaos. Including an extensive index and bibliography along with numerous examples and simplified models, this is an ideal course text.
Keywords: Adaptive Systeme, Chaos, Chaotic behavior in systems, Dynamics, Dynamique, Im (wissenschaftlichen) Diskurs, Komplexitätsforschung, Künstliche Intelligenz, Mathematical models, Mathematik, Mensch-Technik-Relationen (MTR), Modèles mathématiques, Modell, Modellierung, Multi-Agenten-Systeme, Nonlinear theories, Ontologische Differenzierungen: Tier, Mensch, Maschine, Realtechnik, Reflexionen über MTR, social systems, Soziale Ordnung, Soziale Systeme, Systemtheorie, Technik, Théories non linéaires, Überblick 2001
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(2001): Cognitive science meets multi-agent systems. A prolegomenon. In: Philosophical Psychology 14 (1), S. 5-28. DOI: 10.1080/09515080120033599
Abstract: In the current research on multi-agent systems (MAS), many theoretical issues related to sociocultural processes have been touched upon. These issues are in fact intellectually profound and should prove to be significant for MAS. Moreover, these issues should have equally significant impact on cognitive science, if we ever try to understand cognition in the broad context of sociocultural environments in which cognitive agents exist. Furthermore, cognitive models as studied in cognitive science can help us in a substantial way to better probe multi-agent issues, by taking into account essential characteristics of cognitive agents and their various capacities. In this paper, we systematically examine the interplay among social sciences, MAS, and cognitive science. We try to justify an integrated approach for MAS which incorporates different perspectives. We show how a new cognitive model, CLARION, can embody such an integrated approach through a combination of autonomous learning and assimilation.
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