Agents are computational entities that act autonomously in a dynamically changing environment in order to achieve their goals. This course covers the foundations, engineering and applications of intelligent software agents, with an emphasis on theories and architectures for rational agents and on personal assistant applications. Topics include modelling intention, BDI (Belief, Desire, Intention) agent architectures, methodologies for engineering multi-agent systems, communication, coordination and negotiation in multi-agent systems, and applications of agents in electronic commerce and interface design.

This course will involve in-depth and intensive reading, and assume a high level of mathematical maturity and critical analysis. Assessment is by participation in class discussion and essay.