Intelligent software agents

Software is about to get a whole lot smarter, with the introduction of a new generation of intelligent software agents that can manage, organize and sift through enormous amounts of data on behalf of their users. Agents have come a long way since they were first hyped several years ago. This book covers all you need to know about the coming agent revolution: the technology, the applications, and above all, the implications. Some agents are simple daemons patrolling networks to find available resources; others are sophisticated programs that perform tasks and even making decisions on behalf of users. This complete guide to agent technology covers a wide range of applications in industries ranging from medicine to finance, publishing to data warehousing. It reviews the state-of-the-art in agent technology, which is increasingly adaptable, mobile, transparent, accountable, rugged, user-centered and autonomous. It covers the major concerns facing agent developers, including security, privacy, legal issues, control and performance. It also presents advanced research in multi-agent systems, called "agencies," as well as efforts to endow agents with emotions, attitudes, cultural knowledge and multilingual expertise. Software developers, PC users, project managers and students.