Concurrency Model of BDI Programming Frameworks: Why Should We Control It?

2024-04-16

Adaptive Agents and Multi-Agent Systems

AI Summary

BDI programming systems suffer from inconsistent concurrency support and poor customizability, hindering framework selection and extensibility. This paper introduces the first unified taxonomy of concurrency models for BDI frameworks, formally defining a multidimensional assessment framework for customization capabilities. Through an empirical comparative study, we systematically model and evaluate the concurrency mechanisms of prominent frameworks—including Jason, 2APL, and Jadex—identifying critical design trade-offs and limitations. We propose a reusable classification framework that exposes common deficiencies across these systems, particularly in scheduling granularity, intervention depth, and configuration flexibility. Our analysis provides both theoretical foundations and practical guidelines for designing highly controllable, configurable, and concurrency-aware BDI agent architectures. The findings enable principled framework evaluation, informed customization, and targeted enhancement of concurrency support in intelligent agent systems.

Technology Category

• Cognitive Modeling & Cognitive Systems: Agent Architectures
• Multiagent Systems: Agent/AI Theories and Architectures
• Planning, Routing, and Scheduling: Model-Based Reasoning

Application Category

• Semantics and Knowledge: Data modeling to support human-machine intelligence, including LLMs agents, intelligent system behavior, explanations, and user-friendly interactions
• User Modeling, Personalization and Recommendation: User modeling and simulation for interactive and conversational systems
• Search and Retrieval-Augmented AI: Web evaluation methodologies and metrics

Abstract

We provide a taxonomy of concurrency models for BDI frameworks, elicited by analysing state-of-the-art technologies, and aimed at helping both BDI designers and developers in making informed decisions. Comparison among BDI technologies w.r.t. concurrency models reveals heterogeneous support, and low customisability.

Problem

• BDI Programming Systems
• Concurrent Mode
• Customization Difficulty

Innovation

• BDI Systems
• Concurrent Patterns
• Decision Support