A conflict resolution-based decentralized multi-agent problem solving model

Abstract

Distributed Artificial Intelligence (DAI) is a subfield of artificial intelligence which is concerned with solving problems by using both AI techniques and distributed processing capabilities. Due to different goals, knowledge and viewpoints of agents, conflicts might arise at any phase of the problem-solving process. Managing diverse knowledge requires well-organized models of conflict resolution. In this paper, we present a computational model in which a set of knowledge-based agents cooperate for solving problems in the domain of engineering design. The model is based on the insights that each agent has its own conflict management knowledge which is separated from its domain level knowledge. Each agent has its own conflict management knowledge which is not accessible, or visible to others. In addition, there are no globally known conflict resolution strategies. The problem-solving environment allows a new problem solver to be added, or an existing one to be removed without requiring any modification on the rest of the system. The model is described by using an example in the domain of office design and it is compared with other systems.