Electronic Institutions and Their Applications

This book introduces the concept of Electronic Institutions (EIs), where complex interactions between human or software agents are governed by specified rules, mirroring those found in human organisations. As such, the readers will gain insight into how electronic institutions facilitate autonomous agent interactions while ensuring compliance with predefined rules. The book extends beyond theoretical concepts, offering practical applications in real-life scenarios.

Through detailed case studies, such as the uHelp, WeCurate, and PeerLearn platforms, readers understand how electronic institutions may be specified to regulate interactions within mixed human/software agent communities. From coordinating volunteer efforts with a social network, to collectively curating museum exhibits online, and facilitating collaborative learning in an online classroom setting, these applications exemplify the versatility and efficacy of electronic institutions in diverse contexts. 

The book also discusses PeerFlow, a system designed and built for peer-to-peer electronic institutions that provides an intuitive user interface allowing nontechnical users to specify and share institutions. Featuring contributions from leading researchers in the areas of agent technologies and artificial intelligence, the book will be useful for postgraduates, researchers, and practitioners in these domains.

Dr. Nardine Osman is a Tenured Scientist at the Artificial Intelligence Research Institute (IIIA) within the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC). She obtained her Ph.D. (2008) in Computer Science from the University of Edinburgh, UK. Her research in artificial intelligence has centered on multiagent systems, formal verification, normative systems, and trust and reputation. More recently, her focus has been on the topic of value engineering, that is, developing systems that understand human values, reason about them, and ensure behaviour is aligned with those values. She is currently leading the Ethics and AI research line at IIIA-CSIC. Throughout her career, Nardine has authored over 70 peer-reviewed articles in leading international journals and conferences. She is currently a member of the editorial board of the Journal of Artificial Intelligence Research (JAIR) and an associate editor of AI Communications. In the past, she also served as a member of the editorial board of the International Journal of Human-Computer Studies (IJHCS), as well as as vice president, treasurer, and board member of the European Association for Multi-Agent Systems (EURAMAS).