Intelligent Software Agents

Software is about to get a whole lot smarter, with the introduction of a new generation of intelligent software agents that can manage, organize and sift through enormous amounts of data on behalf of their users. Some agents are simple daemons patrolling networks to find available resources; others are sophisticated programs that navigate WANs seeking relevant data, performing tasks, even making decisions on behalf of users. This complete guide to agent technology covers a wide range of applications in industries ranging from medicine to finance, publishing to data warehousing. It reviews the state-of-the-art in agent technology, which is increasingly adaptable, mobile, transparent, accountable, rugged, user-centered and autonomous. It covers the major concerns facing agent developers, including security, privacy, legal issues, control and performance. It also covers advanced research in multi-agent systems, called "agencies," as well as efforts to endow agents with emotions, attitudes, cultural knowledge and multilingual expertise.