Emergent command and control architecture for dynamic agent communities
Brian McLaughlan, Henry H. Hexmoor · Journal of Experimental & Theoretical Artificial Intelligence · 2011
Dynamic multi-agent systems require some accountability mechanism to ensure goal distribution and completion. Accountability can be maintained through proper delineation of power. An organisation is well delineated when each member has an unambiguous power relationship with its peers. Since responsibility and authority follow fully de-conflicted patterns, a delineated organisation is well suited for solving problems. This paper describes a non-deterministic agent level algorithm that emergently simulates various organisational structures and maintains a well-delineated power structure. The appropriateness of this algorithm is demonstrated in a highly dynamic, poor communication network system. A metric is provided which quantifies the appropriateness of the emerging organisational structures. A structure is considered appropriate if an unambiguous chain of accountability exists leading to the human overseer of the system.