Agent-Oriented Modelling: Software versus the World

Agent orientation is currently pursued primarily as a software paradigm. Software with characteristics such as autonomy, sociality, reactivity and proactivity, and communicative and cooperative abilities are expected to offer greater functionality and higher quality, in comparison to earlier paradigms such as object orientation. Agent models and languages are thus intended as abstractions of computational behaviour, eventually to be realized in software programs. However, for the successful application of any software technology, the software system must be understood and analyzed in the context of its environment in the world. This paper argues for a notion of agent suitable for modelling the strategic relationships among agents in the world, so that users and stakeholders can reason about the implications of alternate technology solutions and social structures, thus to better decide on solutions that address their strategic interests and needs. The discussion draws on recent work in requirements engineering and agent-oriented methodologies. A small example from telemedicine is used to illustrate.