An extensive Web site providing a multiplicity of tools for the
development of agent-based software applications is maintained by
John A. Eikenberry at
http://www.ai.uga.edu/~jae/ai.html
Specific topics covered at this Web site include languages,
traditional artificial intelligence, connectionism, evolutionary
computing, agents and bots, and artificial life and complex systems.
Under each topic, an extensive annotated list of pointers is
provided for downloadable software.
Second Issue of the
Journal of Artificial Societies and Social Simulation
The second issue of the electronic journal JASSS was
released on March 31, 1998. This issue includes refereed articles
on topics such as individual versus social survival strategies,
coalition formation, assembly supply chains, and building
agent-based models with SWARM. In addition, it includes a detailed
critique by Scott Moss of a recent book that might be of great
interest to ACE researchers: Rosaria Conte, Rainer Hegselmann, and
Pietro Terna (eds.), Simulating Social Phenomena, Lecture
Notes in Economics and Mathematical Systems, Volume 456,
Springer-Verlag, Berlin, 1997, ISBN 3-540-63329-4.
The second issue of JASSS can be freely accessed at
the JASSS Web site at
http://www.soc.surrey.ac.uk/JASSS/JASSS.html
The next issue of JASSS is due out in June; contributions of
articles and commentaries are welcome. Submission information can
be obtained at the above JASSS Web site.
Workshop Summary:
Agent-Based and Population-Based Modelling of
Learning in Economics
Note: The following summary was submitted by Thomas Brenner
(brenner@mpiew-jena.mpg.de)
A Workshop on Agent-Based and Population-Based Modelling of
Learning in Economics was held in Jena, Germany, at the Max Planck
Institute for Research into Economic Systems, March 2--3, 1998. The
workshop was sponsored and financed by the Institute and was
organized by Ulrich Witt and Thomas Brenner.
The workshop brought together social scientists from
different countries who are interested in computational techniques
to model economic learning. The aim of the workshop was to discuss
the usefulness of different approaches.
Based on the approaches presented by F. Beckenbach, T.
Curzon-Price, B. Edmonds, R. Marks, and H. Schnabl and the critical
overview on different approaches by E. Chattoe, the question whether
we should use genetic algorithms, genetic programming, and neuronal
nets to model learning and the question how these tools should be
modified for such a use became a focus of the discussions. There was
a general agreement that these tools are useful in social sciences
but there was also agreement that there are crucial differences
between social learning and biological evolution. However, the
details of these differences, the interpretation of these tools as
describing the learning of populations or of single individuals, and
the modifications necessary have been discussed controversially.
Besides this analysis of biologically inspired tools,
there was also discussion about the usefulness of simulations in
general based on the presentation of W. Kwasnicki and on the
insights obtained by the use of cellular automata based on the
presentation of R. Hegselmann. More specific approaches to learning
and problem solving were presented by U. Witt (modelling satisficing
and reinforcement learning), L. Marengo (dealing with the division
of problems), and T. Brenner (modelling cognitive learning).
Through this, the workshop offered a good overview of
different ways to model learning found in the economic literature
and the lively discussions during the workshop revealed the
advantages and disadvantages of these approaches.
Additional ACE-Related Web Sites
Note: Pointers to the following Web sites are included on the
"other ACE-related Web sites" page linked to the ACE Web site home
page.
- Computational Anthropology
The goal of the newly formed Computational Anthropology Section
of the American Anthropological Association is to advance
computation as a way of understanding anthropological phenomena.
Researchers participating in computational anthropology stress the
development of computer programs for the representation and
understanding of human cultural and biological processes. They are
interested in cognition, learning, development, selection, and
cultural and genetic transmission.
To learn more about computational anthropology, visit the
Computational Anthropology Section Web site at
http://www.sscnet.ucla.edu/anthro/cas-aaa.html
- HEDG: Hyper-Economy Development Group
HEDG is a small group of researchers from both academics
and the commercial sector who are working on the theory and
practical implementation of multi-agent systems combining flows of
knowledge and value data. The purpose of the group is to develop
theoretical models of a distributed system of combined value and
knowledge exchange among multiple agents, to create prototype
software implementations of the models, and to compare the resulting
models with centralized scheduling systems and economic systems
focusing purely on value exchange.
HEDG has recently received an invitation from the editor of
the Dow Jones magazine Markets to write a short synopsis of
the HEDG project for global distribution to the approximately 90,000
financial professionals (mainly dealers in foreign exchange, bonds,
stocks, and commodities) who subscribe to the magazine.
For more information about HEDG, visit the HEDG Web site at
http://www.lucifer.com/~sasha/HEDG/HEDG.html
Additional Journals of Possible Interest to ACE Researchers
Note: A list of pointers to the following journals
can be found on the journals page linked to the ACE Web site home
page.
- The Journal of Computational Finance
The Journal of Computational Finance, published by Risk
Publications (London), publishes peer-reviewed papers dealing with
innovative computational techniques in pricing, hedging, and risk
management of financial instruments. Submissions in the following
areas are particularly encouraged: numerical solutions of pricing
equations; simulation approaches in pricing and risk management;
optimization techniques in hedging and risk management; fundamental
numerical analysis relevant to finance; and developments in
free-boundary problems in finance. The Editor-in-Chief of the
journal is Domingo Tavella (Align Risk Analysis, Inc.)
For further information about this journal, visit the
journal's Web site at
http://www.jcompfin.com/
- Chaos: An Interdisciplinary Journal of Nonlinear Science
The interdisciplinary journal Chaos publishes
peer-reviewed articles focusing on the latest developments and
debates in nonlinear science from around the world. The journal
seeks to blend three distinct methodologies--analytic studies,
computational simulations, and experimental investigations. The
journal has an applied emphasis, in the sense that it is committed
to communicating applications of nonlinear science to "real"
systems. Among the topics included in its coverage are adaptation,
evolution, and learning. Chaos is published by the American
Institute of Physics. The current Editor-in Chief of the journal is
David K. Campbell.
For further information about this journal, visit the
journal's Web site at
http://www.aip.org/journals/chaos/
- Experimental Economics
The first issue of the new Kluwer journal Experimental
Economics, edited by Charles A. Holt (University of Virginia)
and Arthur J.H.C. Schram (University of Amsterdam), is scheduled to
be out by early summer. Subscriptions to the journal are now
included with membership in the Economic Science Association
(ESA).
For further information about this forthcoming journal,
visit the ESA Web site at
http://www.econlab.arizona.edu/esa/
Call for Input to Conference Roundtable Discussion on
ACE Experimental Design and Data Analysis
A conference on Computation in Economics, Finance, and Engineering
Economic Systems is scheduled to be held June 29--July 1 in Cambridge, UK.
Included in the conference program will be a coordinated track of five ACE
workshops: (1) ACE: A Tutorial; (2) Agent Representation in ACE Models; (3)
Application/Policy Uses of ACE Models; (4) ACE Models in Education; and (5)
ACE Experimental Design and Data Analysis. For more information about this
conference, visit the conference Web site at
http://www.econ.cam.ac.uk/dae/cefes98/conf.htm
The ACE session (5) is being co-organized as a roundtable
discussion by Blake LeBaron (U of Wisconsin, blebaron@ssc.wisc.edu)
and Chris Preist (Hewlett Packard, cwp@hplb.hpl.hp.com). Several
invited speakers will lead this discussion. However, in recognition
of the fact that many people may not be able to attend the
conference, the co-organizers are soliciting email comments (two
pages or less) from interested researchers which could then be
included by the co-organizers as part of the roundtable discussion.
A transcript of the roundtable discussion will be emailed to all
email contributors.
Comments on the following four topics are particularly
sought--please email comments on these and/or related topics to
Blake LeBaron at
blebaron@ssc.wisc.edu,
Department of Economics, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706):
- QUESTIONS AND DATA REPORTING: Critical examination of the
types of questions currently posed in ACE frameworks, the
experimental designs constructed for examining these questions, the
types of data collected, and the possible use of multi-media (sound,
color, geometric shape) to report and interpret this data.
- HYPOTHESIS TESTING AND GOODNESS OF FIT: Critical examination
of the extent to which current ACE frameworks exploit standard
statistical techniques for the testing and validation of hypotheses
and the measurement of goodness of fit. Are new types of statistical
techniques needed?
- PARAMETER SPECIFICATION AND SENSITIVITY: Critical examination
of the extent to which ACE applications undertake and report
parameter sensitivity tests, and the extent to which stylized facts,
natural data, and human-subject experimental data have been or could
be used to pin down parameter values.
- REPLICABILITY: Critical examination of the extent to which ACE
applications have been able to establish replicable interpretable
relations between structural specifications and evolutionary
outcomes. Also, to what extent has the results of ACE applications
have been replicated across alternative software and hardware
platforms.
Call for Special Issue Papers by Adaptive Behavior
Adaptive Behavior is an international journal
published by the International Society for Adaptive Behavior, with
Editor-in-Chief Jean-Arcady Meyer. The journal has announced a call
for papers for a special issue on "Simulation Models of Social
Agents," guest-edited by Kerstin Dautenhahn. The special issue
encourages submissions on simulation models of social agents that
draw inspiration from theories and mechanisms from: ethology;
population biology; sociobiology; game theory; anthropology,
economics, sociology, and other social sciences; autopoietic theory;
cybernetics; and related fields concerned with the analysis,
modeling, and simulation of groups of social agents.
The submission deadline is April 30, 1998. Authors
intending to submit a paper are advised to contact the guest editor
Kerstin Dautenhahn (kd@cyber.reading.ac.uk) as soon as possible to
discuss paper ideas and suitability for this issue.
Call for Special Issue Papers by
Computational and Mathematical
Organization Theory (CMOT)
A special issue of CMOT is planned on "User
Competition in Operations Management." The purpose of the special
issue is to encourage the development of models in support of
strategic and operational decision-making that blend traditional
theories and more recent modeling paradigms. Example applications
include telecommunications markets, technology and market dynamics,
electricity supply management in deregulated energy markets,
transportation assignment in satellite-based traffic monitoring
systems, inventory management, supply chain management, marketing,
and resource allocation in electronic commerce environments.
Three types of papers are sought for this special issue:
(1) Those defining the theoretical, conceptual, and managerial
landscape of these new problem domains; (2) theoretical
contributions at the intersection of multiple modeling paradigms;
and (3) case studies stressing the integration of theories and
practical considerations. All contributions should emphasize
mathematical, logical, or computational models, or the validation of
such models using case studies or field data.
The deadline for receipt of extended 2-3 page abstracts is
April 30, 1998. For more information about abstract submission in
particular and the special issue in general, visit the Web site
at
http://pluto.sepa.tudelft.nl/webstaf/beroggi/CMOT.htm
Conference Calls for Papers
Note: A list of pointers to upcoming ACE-related conferences
can be found on the conference page linked to the ACE Web site home
page.
-
Call for Papers and Participation in an
Alife VI Workshop on Agent-Based Economics
Agent-based economics is a nascent scientific field at the
intersection of economics, mathematics, computer science, artificial
life, and artificial intelligence. Agent-based economists study
several fundamental questions: What types of macro economic behavior
emerge from local interactions amongst agents? What macro economic
behavior can be explained by local interactions? Can agents with
bounded rationality achieve optimal equilibrium? Agent-based
economists are interested in understanding the dynamics of economic
systems as well as their equilibriums. Several research centers,
including the Brookings Institution and the Santa Fe Institute, have
begun to foster research in this area and there is now a growing
body of research on agent-based economics.
This workshop will bring together scientists who are
interested in agent-based economics and will invite them to give 15
to 30 minute presentations on their work. If you would like to
attend this workshop, please send a one page abstract of your
research to Michael de la Maza (RedfireGrp@aol.com). Note that
workshop attendees must register for the ALIFE VI conference.
- Date: Friday, June 26
- Time: 9am-12 noon.
- Location: UCLA campus, Los Angeles, CA.
- Price: The workshop is free, but you must register for ALIFE VI.
The cost for registering for ALIFE VI depends on your status
(academic, student, etc.). Complete information is available from
the ALIFE VI web site, below.
http://alife6.alife.org
- Workshop co-organizers:
- Michael de la Maza, Redfire Capital Management Group
- Ayla Ogus, Economics Department, Boston College
- Sebnem Tokcan, Cambridge Technology Partners
- Deniz Yuret, Artificial Intelligence Laboratory,
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Contact person: Michael de la Maza, RedfireGrp@aol.com
- Conference on Connectionist Approaches in Economics
and Management Sciences
The 1998 ASCEG International Meeting on Complex Data: Modelling and
Analysis will take place at the Universit Catholique de Louvain,
November 20, 1998. The members of the Scientific Committee invite
you to submit papers in Economics and Management Sciences on the
following topics:
- simulation of complex processes (non-linear, non-parametric,...);
- new Approaches for data analysis;
- local and global optimization;
- forecasting (financial series, bankruptcies, consumer
behavior...);
- behavioral modeling;
- hybrid approaches associating new and classical approaches;
- numerical evaluation methods (pricing of financial assets,...).
If you are interested in participating, check the conference Web
site at
http://mkb.fin.ucl.ac.be/Acseg98
- Conference on Emerging Economies
The Academy of Business and Administrative Sciences is
sponsoring an international conference on the topic of emerging
economies, to be held July 13--15, 1998, at the Budapest University
of Economic Sciences, Budapest, Hungary. A number of key government
officials, business executives, academics, and consultants are
expected to attend the conference. Some of the full-length papers
presented at the conference will be considered for publication in an
edited volume, Management Models for the New Millennium, to be
published under the auspices of the St. Bonaventure University.
Full details about the conference, including an abstract
submission form, can be found at the conference Web site at
http://www.muohio.edu/~rajkumtm/abas/
Reminder: News Items Requested for ACE News Notes and Complexity
Just a reminder that if you have news items you would like to
have considered for inclusion in the ACE news notes, and/or the
Complexity-at-Large section of the John Wiley journal
Complexity, please email them to me at my email address
tesfatsi@iastate.edu.
I am also interested in receiving annotated cites to published
articles or books (along with author URLs if available) that you
believe would be of interest for inclusion in the annotated syllabus
of readings at the ACE Web site. Thanks.
Copyright © 1998 Leigh Tesfatsion. All Rights Reserved.
tesfatsi@iastate.edu