Shall we Depend on Dependability for Industrial Uptake of Agent Technology?

1. Shall we Depend on Dependability for Industrial Uptake of Agent Technology? Rafael H. Bordini Department of Computer Science University of Durham, U.K. R.Bordini@durham.ac.uk AL3-TF2 - ProMAS TFG

2. Dependable Systems • As computer systems permeate further our daily life, mankind becomes increasingly dependant on them • We need to make sure they do not ever crash, but also make sure they cannot be sabotaged • The area of dependable systems brings together work on various aspects of computing such as fault tolerance, cryptography, and formal methods • Ultimately, formal verification would give assurance that we can reliably depend on such systems • Many of the typical areas of applications for MAS require dependable systems! AL3-TF2 - ProMAS TFG

3. Formal Verification • Two main approaches • Theorem Proving • Model Checking • But also direct execution, and various formal approaches are also amenable to some form of verification (logic programming, Petri nets, etc.) • Model Checking can be based on a variety of techniques: • Automata-Theoretic (explicit state) • OBDDs (symbolic model checking) • Reduction to SAT (to use existing SAT solvers) AL3-TF2 - ProMAS TFG

4. Model Checking MAS • Most of the (still very young!) work on verification of multi-agent systems has focused on Model Checking • Some of the reasons for this might be: • Easier for end-users than theorem proving • Counterexample can be quite useful for debugging • Some interesting logics (e.g., ATL) for agent verification have simple (and tractable) model checking algorithms, but very hard to give sound and complete axiomatisations for • Some of the researchers who have contributed to the area are: M.Wooldridge, W.van der Hoek, M.Fisher, W.Visser, R.Bordini, A.Lomuscio, V.Panczek, M.Ryan, P.-Y.Schobbens, M.Singh, R.van den Mayden, J.Padget, A.Cimatti, M.Benerecetti, … AL3-TF2 - ProMAS TFG

5. TFG Q1: Is it Easier to Apply Formal Methods to MAS? • No! At the moment, probably more difficult (too recent, so not many specific/robust tools available) • But arguably MAS techniques are appropriate for the development of certain types of distributed systems and verification techniques tailored specifically for this will be required or at least useful • It is still an open question whether some characteristics of multi-agent systems (as a high-level modular approach to developing DS) will allow for particularly successful state-space reduction techniques (the use of such techniques are an essential part of practical model checking), e.g., compositional reasoning AL3-TF2 - ProMAS TFG

6. TFG Q2: What are the Advantages of Applying FM to MAS Developments? • As for other systems, formal methods ensure that we can reliably depend on computer systems • Verification techniques created specifically for MAS may help development itself (e.g., debugging) and it is possible they will be more efficient for these systems, but we are far from having enough evidence to claim that as yet • Ideally, we would have off-the-shelf, verified MAS algorithms, which could significantly decrease development time and at the same facilitating the verification process AL3-TF2 - ProMAS TFG

7. TFG Q3: Are Agents a Better Way of Introducing FM to Industry? • Conceivable: • If it turns out that MAS techniques indeed facilitate the development of certain kinds of industrial systems that require dependability • If we deliver MAS techniques that have been verified or tools that facilitate verification of MAS in a way that is practical/cost-effective enough for Industry • Can we be certain that will happen? • Not as yet, I think! • This is a good discussion point… AL3-TF2 - ProMAS TFG

8. TFG Q4: Will Technological Transfer be Easier due to FM for MAS? • Again, that is conceivable: • If we manage to deliver formal methods that help in the development process of MAS • If it turns out that MAS techniques are particularly suitable for a class of applications which require dependability and we deliver suitable FM • Can we be sure that will be the case? • Not as yet, I think! • In fact, MAS are already making it to Industry for “ordinary” applications – see AgentLink News #16 • This too is a good discussion point! AL3-TF2 - ProMAS TFG

9. So, shall we depend on dependability for Industrial Uptake? • I do not think we have to depend on FM for MAS and the use of MAS techniques for dependable system for Industrial Uptake • In a way, this is happening already, and MAS verification is just starting as a research area • But my guess is (although guessing is never good for science): • MAS will be particularly suitable for dependable systems, and • FM for MAS will result in a major impact on the practical development of such systems AL3-TF2 - ProMAS TFG