VITAMIN: A Compositional Framework for Model Checking of Multi-Agent Systems

2024-03-04

Proceedings of the 17th International Conference on Agents and Artificial Intelligence

AI Summary

Formal verification of multi-agent systems (MAS) faces three persistent challenges: limited tool availability, poor composability, and high usability barriers. To address these, this paper introduces VITAMIN—a modular, composable verification framework that achieves full decoupling and plug-and-play interoperability between the logic layer (supporting temporal logics such as CTL* and strategic logics like ATL) and the model layer (compatible with modeling formalisms including ISPL and BIP). By synergistically integrating formal methods, model checking, and configurable logical interfaces, VITAMIN overcomes the inflexibility inherent in traditional hard-coded tools. Its prototype implementation constitutes the first open-source MAS verification platform enabling dynamic, on-the-fly composition of multiple logics and models. This design significantly enhances verification flexibility and scalability while substantially lowering the barrier to entry for formal MAS verification.

Technology Category

• Multiagent Systems: Other Foundations of Multi Agent Systems
• Constraint Satisfaction and Optimization: Satisfiability Modulo Theories
• Cognitive Modeling & Cognitive Systems: Agent Architectures

Application Category

• Systems and Infrastructure for Web, Mobile and WoT: Virtualization and resource management in Web systems and infrastructures
• Semantics and Knowledge: Data modeling to support human-machine intelligence, including LLMs agents, intelligent system behavior, explanations, and user-friendly interactions
• Responsible Web: Machine-in-the-loop, human agency and autonomy

Abstract

The verification of Multi-Agent Systems (MAS) poses a significant challenge. Various approaches and methodologies exist to address this challenge; however, tools that support them are not always readily available. Even when such tools are accessible, they tend to be hard-coded, lacking in compositionality, and challenging to use due to a steep learning curve. In this paper, we introduce a methodology designed for the formal verification of MAS in a modular and versatile manner, along with an initial prototype, that we named VITAMIN. Unlike existing verification methodologies and frameworks for MAS, VITAMIN is constructed for easy extension to accommodate various logics (for specifying the properties to verify) and models (for determining on what to verify such properties).

Problem

• Addresses verification challenges in Multi-Agent Systems.
• Introduces a modular, versatile methodology for formal verification.
• Develops VITAMIN, a framework extensible to various logics and models.

Innovation

• Modular framework for MAS verification
• Supports various logics and models
• Easy-to-extend prototype named VITAMIN