Towards a Theory of Cooperative Problem Solving

One objective of distributed artificial intelligence research is to build systems that are capable of cooperative problem solving. To this end, a number of implementation-oriented models of cooperative problem solving have been developed. However, mathematical models of social activity have focussed only on limited aspects of the cooperative problem solving process: no mathematical model of the entire process has yet been described. In this paper, we rectify this omission. We present a preliminary model that describes the cooperative problem solving process from recognition of the potential for cooperation through to team action. The model is formalised by representing it as a theory in a quantified multi-modal logic. A key feature of the model is its reliance on the twin notions of commitments and conventions; conventions (protocols for monitoring commitments) are formalised for the first time in this paper. We comment on the generality of the model, outline its deficiencies, and sugg...

• Type: Conference
• Year: 1994
• Where: MAAMAW
• Authors: Michael Wooldridge, Nicholas R. Jennings
• Keywords: Cooperative Problem, Intelligent Agents, MAAMAW 1994, Problem Solving, Problem Solving Process