From logic programming towards multi-agent systems

In this paper we present an extension of logic programming (LP) that is suitable not only for the "rational" component of a single agent but also for the "reactive" component and that can encompass multi-agent systems. We modify an earlier abductive proof procedure and embed it within an agent cycle. The proof procedure incorporates abduction, definitions and integrity constraints within a dynamic environment, where changes can be observed as inputs. The definitions allow rational planning behaviour and the integrity constraints allow reactive, condition-action type behaviour. The agent cycle provides a resource-bounded mechanism that allows the agent's thinking to be interrupted for the agent to record and assimilate observations as input and execute actions as output, before resuming further thinking. We argue that these extensions of LP, accommodating multi-theories embedded in a shared environment, provide the necessary multi-agent functionality. We argue also that our work extends Shoham's Agent0 and the BDI architecture.