The field of agent technology is rapidly maturing. One of key factors that influence this process is the gathered body of knowledge that allows in-depth reflection on the very nature of designing and implementing agent systems. As a result, we know better how to design and implement them. We also understand the most important issues to be addressed in the process. Therefore, on the top-most level we see progress in development of methodologies for design of agent-based systems. Furthermore, these methodologies are usually supported by tools that allow not only top level conceptualization but guide the process towards implementation (e.g. by generating at least some code). Next, we can see that new languages for agent based systems are created, e.g. AML or API Calculus. Separately, tools/platforms/environments that can be used for design and implementation of agent systems have been through a number of releases, eliminating problems and adding new, important features. Resulting products are becoming truly robust and flexible. Furthermore, open source products (e.g. JADE) are surrounded by user communities, which often generate powerful add-on components, further increasing value of existing solutions.

TOPICS

During the Workshop we are primarily interested in all aspects of the process that leads from the model of the problem domain to the actual agent-based solution. These aspects will cover both principled approaches and established practices of software engineering aimed at producing high quality software. In this context, research into the application of agent-based solutions to key challenges faced by software engineering (e.g. reduction of costs and delivery times, coping with a larger diversity of problems) will be of primary importance.

ABC:MI Workshop welcomes submissions of original papers concerning all aspects of software agent engineering.

Topics include but are not limited to:

Methodologies for design of agent systems
Multi-agent systems platforms, tools and product lines
Modeling agent systems
Agent architectures
Agent-based simulations
Simulating and verifying agent systems
Agent benchmarking and performance measurement
Agent communication, coordination and cooperation
Agent languages
Agent learning and planning
Agent mobility
Agent formal modeling, calculi, and logic
Agent security
Agents and Service Oriented Computing
Agents in the Semantic Web
Applications and Experiences