Agent-based model

An agent-based model (ABM) is one of a class of computational models for simulating the actions and interactions of autonomous agents (both individual or collective entities such as organizations or groups) with a view to assessing their effects on the system as a whole.

Description

It combines elements of game theory, complex systems, emergence, computational sociology, multi-agent systems, and evolutionary programming.

Monte Carlo Methods are used to introduce randomness. Particularly within ecology, ABMs are also called individual-based models (IBMs), and individuals within IBMs may be simpler than fully autonomous agents within ABMs.

A review of recent literature on individual-based models, agent-based models, and multiagent systems shows that ABMs are used on non-computing related scientific domains including biology, ecology and social science.

Agent-based modeling is related to, but distinct from, the concept of multi-agent systems or multi-agent simulation in that the goal of ABM is to search for explanatory insight into the collective behavior of agents obeying simple rules, typically in natural systems, rather than in designing agents or solving specific practical or engineering problems.

Agent-based models are a kind of microscale model that simulate the simultaneous operations and interactions of multiple agents in an attempt to re-create and predict the appearance of complex phenomena.

Keep it simple, stupid

The process is one of emergence from the lower (micro) level of systems to a higher (macro) level. As such, a key notion is that simple behavioral rules generate complex behavior. This principle, known as K.I.S.S. ("Keep it simple, stupid") is extensively adopted in the modeling community.

Whole greater than sum of parts

Another central tenet is that the whole is greater than the sum of the parts. Individual agents are typically characterized as boundedly rational, presumed to be acting in what they perceive as their own interests, such as reproduction, economic benefit, or social status, using heuristics or simple decision-making rules. ABM agents may experience "learning", adaptation, and reproduction.

Composition

Most agent-based models are composed of:

(1) Numerous agents specified at various scales (typically referred to as agent-granularity).

(2) Decision-making heuristics.

(3) Learning rules or adaptive processes.

(4) An interaction topology.

(5) A non-agent environment.

Implementation

ABMs are typically implemented as computer simulations, either as custom software, or via ABM toolkits, and this software can be then used to test how changes in individual behaviors will affect the system's emerging overall behavior.

See also

• Agent
• Agent-based computational economics
• Agent-based model in biology
• Agent-based social simulation (ABSS)
• Artificial society
• Boids
• Comparison of agent-based modeling software
• Complex system
• Complex adaptive system
• Computer simulation
• Computational sociology
• Conway's Game of Life
• Dynamic network analysis
• Emergence
• Evolutionary algorithm
• Flocking
• Game theory
• Kinetic exchange models of markets
• Multi-agent system
• Simulated reality
• Social complexity
• Social simulation
• Sociophysics
• Software agent
• Swarming behaviour
• Web-based simulation

External links

• Agent-based model @ Wikipedia