On the semantics of conditional commitment

ABSTRACT

In this paper, we identify some problems with current formalizations of conditional commitments, i.e. commitments to achieve a goal if some condition becomes true. We present a solution to these problems. We also formalize two types of communicative actions that can be used by an agent to request another agent to achieve a goal or perform an action provided that some condition becomes true. Our account is set within ECASL [9], a framework for modeling communicating agents based on the situation calculus.

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INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  I. Computing Methodologies
  I.2 ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

Additional Classification:
  I. Computing Methodologies
  I.2 ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
        I.2.11 Distributed Artificial Intelligence
            Subjects: Multiagent systems

General Terms:
Design, Theory

Keywords:
agent communication, conditional commitments, conditional intentions, formal models of agency, logics for agent systems, semantics of requests