Programming Norm-Aware Agents

7^th February 2012, 16:00 G12
Dr. Brian Logan
School of Computer Science
University of Nottingham
UK

Abstract

We can define a "norm-aware" agent as one that deliberates on its goals, norms and sanctions before deciding which plans to select and execute. Norm-aware agents are able to violate norms (accepting the resulting sanctions) if it is in their overall interests to do so, e.g., if meeting an obligation would result in an important goal of the agent becoming unachievable. Programming norm-aware agents in conventional BDI-based agent programming languages is difficult, as they lack support for deliberating about goals, norms, sanctions and deadlines. In this talk, I will sketch the norm-aware agent programming language N-2APL. N-2APL is based on 2APL and provides support for beliefs, goals, plans, norms, sanctions and deadlines. I will describe how the syntax and semantics of 2APL were modified to support norm-awareness, and show that N-2APL agents are rational in the sense of committing to a set of plans that will achieve the agent's most important goals and obligations by their deadlines while respecting its most important prohibitions.