Agent-Based Model
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| - | Agent-based modelling is the modelling of phenomena as dynamical systems of | + | Agent-based modelling (ABM) is the modelling of phenomena as dynamical systems of interacting agents. An '''agent-based model''' is a specific individual based computational model for the computer simulation of [[Complex_System|complex systems]]. ABM can be used as abbreviation for both, Agent-Based Modelling or Agent-Based Model. |
| - | interacting agents. An '''agent-based model''' | + | |
| - | for the computer simulation of [[Complex_System|complex systems]]. | + | |
== Definition == | == Definition == | ||
| - | An agent-based model is a computational model in which every participant in a system | + | An agent-based model is a computational model in which every participant in a system or process is modelled indivdually. A system is modeled as a collection of autonomous decision-making entities called [[Agent|agents]]. Each agent acts autonomously, individually assesses its situation, and makes decisions on the basis of a set of internal rules. In agent-based modeling the word 'model' often means to specify 'the rules of the game': to specify exactly what kind of participants exist (the agents and their states) and how they interact (the rules). As Bonabeau says in his paper about [http://www.pnas.org/cgi/content/full/99/suppl_3/7280 agent-based modeling] "at the simplest level, an agent-based model consists of a system of agents and the relationships between them". ABMs are the equivalent to games in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Game_theory game theory]. A strategic game in game theory consists of a set of players, a set of moves (or strategies) available to those players, and a specification of payoffs for each combination of strategies. An ABM consists of a set of (simplified) agents, a set of possible basic behaviors or elementary interactions, and a set of rules which specifies the evolution or development of the system. |
| - | or process is modelled indivdually. | + | |
| - | In agent-based modeling the word 'model' often means to specify 'the rules of the game': | + | |
| - | to specify exactly what kind of participants exist (the agents and their states) and how | + | |
| - | they interact (the rules). As Bonabeau says in his paper about | + | |
| - | [http://www.pnas.org/cgi/content/full/99/suppl_3/7280 agent-based modeling] | + | |
| - | "at the simplest level, an agent-based model consists of a system of agents and the relationships | + | |
| - | between them". ABMs are the equivalent to games in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Game_theory game theory]. | + | |
| - | A strategic game in game theory consists of a set of players, a set of moves (or strategies) available | + | |
| - | to those players, and a specification of payoffs for each combination of strategies. | + | |
| - | An ABM consists of a set of (simplified) agents, a set of possible basic behaviors or | + | |
| - | elementary interactions, and a set of rules which specifies the evolution or development | + | |
| - | of the system. | + | |
| - | Contrary to general [[Multi-Agent System|multi agent systems]], | + | Contrary to general [[Multi-Agent System|multi agent systems]], an ABM describes the interactions among individual [[Agent|agents]] and their environment in a specific situation which leads to particular organizational patterns and [[Emergence|emergent properties]]. Model in 'agent-based model' is used in the sense of an abstract representation of a concrete system from a particular viewpoint. ABMs can be used to explain collective human behavior in the social sciences, to understand [[Complex System|complex systems]], and they enable the user to run large scale virtual experiments without altering the corresponding real [[System|system]]. |
| - | an ABM describes the interactions among individual [[Agent|agents]] and their environment | + | |
| - | in a specific situation which leads to particular organizational patterns and | + | |
| - | [[Emergence|emergent properties]]. Model in 'agent-based model' is used in the | + | |
| - | sense of an abstract representation of a concrete system from a particular viewpoint. | + | |
| - | ABMs can be used to explain collective human behavior in the social sciences, to | + | |
| - | understand [[Complex System|complex systems]], and they enable the user to run | + | |
| - | large scale virtual experiments without altering the corresponding real [[System|system]]. | + | |
== Ingredients == | == Ingredients == | ||
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* [[Adaptation|Adaptive behavior]], which means agents grow smarter over time in response to the specific conditions and requirements of their environment | * [[Adaptation|Adaptive behavior]], which means agents grow smarter over time in response to the specific conditions and requirements of their environment | ||
| - | Agent-based simulations can be used to model | + | ABMs can simulate almost any interactive system: a stockmarket, a habitat, a pandemics, any social or political system, or a business supply-chain. Agent-based simulations can be used to model |
* animal societies, ecological systems and food webs | * animal societies, ecological systems and food webs | ||
* physiological systems and organisms | * physiological systems and organisms | ||
| - | * social systems | + | * social or politcal systems |
| - | * economic systems | + | * financial systems and stockmarkets |
| + | * economic systems and business supply-chains | ||
* robotic systems | * robotic systems | ||
* traffic and transportation systems, pedestrian dynamics | * traffic and transportation systems, pedestrian dynamics | ||
* P2P and other computational systems | * P2P and other computational systems | ||
| + | * pandemics | ||
* combats and wars | * combats and wars | ||
