Amalthaea--information filtering and discovery using a multiagent evolving system
Alexandros Moukas · DSpace@MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) · 1997
Agents are semi-intelligent programs that assist the user in performing repetitive and time-consuming tasks. Information discovery and information filtering are suitable domains for applying agent technology. Amalthaea is an evolving, multiagent ecosystem for personalized filtering, discovery, and monitoring of information sites. Amalthaea’s primary application domain is the World-Wide-Web and its main purpose is to assist users in finding interesting information. Ideas drawn from the field of autonomous agents and artificial life are combined in the creation of an evolving ecosystem composed of competing and cooperating agents. A co-evolution model of information filtering agents that adapt to the various user interests and information discovery agents that monitor and adapt to the various on-line information sources is analyzed. A market-like ecosystem where the agents evolve, compete, and collaborate is presented: agents that are useful to the user or to other agents reproduce while low-performing agents are destroyed.