Future directions: Building a decision making framework using agent teams

Abstract

This chapter describes initial efforts and research directions in decision support systems that allow collaboration and cooperation between intelligent agents in a multi-agent system and humans. Description of previous research is included to show how developments in the agent software framework was implemented based on cognitive hybrid reasoning and learning models where decision support systems are used to support the human's roles. Cooperation is a type of relationship within structured teams when an agent is required to coordinate with, and explicitly trust, instructions and information received from controlling agents. Collaboration involves the creation of temporary relationships between different agents and/or humans that allow each member to achieve his own goals. Due to the inherent physical separation between humans and agents, the concept of collaboration has been identified as the means of realizing human-agent teams to assist with decision making. An example application and preliminary demonstration to show the current status is also presented. Future research needed to advance the field of intelligent decision support systems is identified. © 2008 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.