Enhancing Social Networks with Agent and Semantic Web Technologies

In this chapter we describe the relationships between multi-agent systems, social networks and the Semantic Web within collaborative work; we also review how the integration of multi-agent systems and Semantic Web technologies and techniques can be used to enhance social networks at all scales. The chapter first provides a review of relevant work on the application of agent-based models and abstractions to the key ingredients of our work: collaborative systems, the Semantic Web and social networks. Then, the chapter discusses the reasons why current multi-agent systems and their foreseen evolution might be a fundamental means for the realization of the future Semantic Social Networks. Finally, some conclusions