DeepActor models in DANUBIA

Abstract

This chapter describes the representation of decision processes of socio economic actors by means of actor models, which is one distinctive feature of DANUBIA. An actor model (also called an agent model) describes socio economic processes as the sum of the individual actions taken by a range of different actors. The DeepActor framework provides a basis for modelling and implementing the socio economic DANUBIA models. Decision makers, such as individuals, organisations or businesses, are modelled as “actors” Each actor is localised within his physical and social environment (a proxel or a social network) and takes decisions as responses to his observations about which action to execute from a range of possible action options. Actors have various preferences and action options, represented by customised plans and decision procedures that are specific to each actor type. Further, actors have a “memory” (history) for recalling previous decisions. One special feature of DANUBIA is the coupling of physically based scientific models with socio-economic components. It is described how the transformation from quantitative states in nature to qualitative notifications for the actor model is realised using the flag concept.