Conference Tutorial

Abstract

Since 1994 we are told that software agents will become the next revolution in computing [3]. This change is to occur not only in the ways we construct software [2] but also to profoundly impact human-computer interactions [1, 3]. Unfortunately, when we turn the computer on in the morning, we do not contact our Personal Agent to receive a personalized newscast, our day-plan and, on the basis of that plan as well as the weather forecast and knowledge of our dressing-preferences, an advice what to wear. Similarly, when creating software for an e-shop we do not utilize pre-existing agent-modules (e.g. advertising agents, seller, inventory manager, etc.). Instead, there exist only few successful large-scale implementations of agent systems.

The 4 hour tutorial will consist of two parts. Part I, a general introduction to software agents; discussion includes topics like: conceptual roots and definition of software agents and agent systems, major points raised “for” and “against” software agent systems, existing applications of agent systems, and possibility of developing large scale agent systems. Part II, will present an overview of agent applications and will be based on our ongoing projects. In particular, we will talk about: (i) agent-based model e-commerce system, (ii) agent-based travel support system, (iii) agents as resource brokers in the Grid.

References

1. J. Hendler, Is There an Intelligent Agent in Your Future?, Nature, 11 March, 1999
2. N. R. Jennings, An agent-based approach for building complex software systems, CACM, 44 (4), 2001, 35-41
3. P. Maes, Agents that Reduce Work and Information Overload, Communications of the ACM, 37(7), 1994, 31-40

Marcin Paprzycki (Senior Member of the IEEE and Senior Fulbright Lecturer) has received his M.S. Degree in 1986 from Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, Poland and his Ph.D. in 1990 from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. His initial research interests were in high performance computing and parallel computing, high performance linear algebra in particular. Over time they evolved toward distributed systems and Internet-based computing; in particular, agent systems. He has published more than 200 research papers and was invited to Program Committees of over 250 international conferences. He is on editorial boards of 9 journals and a book series.

Maria Ganzha obtained MS and her Ph.D. in Applied Mathematics from Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia in 1987 and 1991 respectively. Her initial research interests were in the area of differential equations, solving mixed wave equations in space with disappearing obstacles in particular, currently she works in the areas of software engineering, distributed computing and agent systems in particular. She has published more than 50 research papers and is on editorial boards of 5 journals and a book series and was invited to Program Committees of over 40 conferences.

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