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Introduction

A key enabling technology for personalization, Intelligent agent technology provides a mechanism for information systems to act on behalf of their users. Specifically, intelligent agents can be programmed to search, acquire, and store information on behalf of the wants and needs of users.

Research

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Attributes

Intelligent agents are task-oriented. Examples of intelligent agent tasks include data mining, profile management, privacy management, rules management, and application management.

Data mining agents seek data and information based on the profile of the user and instructions carried out by the rules manager agent. The profile management agent's role is to maintain the user profile, constantly adding, deleting and modifying profile information based on new information. The privacy management agent's role is to safeguard privacy of the user, including identity, location, or other personal information. An application agent manages application(s) and interactions between the network, other networks, content, and other applications.

Agent Locations and Technologies

Intelligent agent software may consist of embedded technology within the mobile device, servers on the Internet, and/or programs within applications on/off the mobile network.

Agency vs. Intelligence

Agency is the degree of authority given to a program - how much it is allowed to perform on its own accord, based on the instructions given by user.

Intelligence is the degree of reasoning and independent "learning" enabled within the program. A truly intelligent agent has the ability to adapt itself to its environment, sensing events and objects, evaluating circumstances and objects, and act over time in pursuit of a specific agenda.

Intelligent Agent Applications

The number of applications benefiting from intelligent agent technology are virtually limited only by the imagination. One of the key goals is to enable the autonomous delivery of information for the benefit of various applications. For example, a location detection intelligent agent in a mobile device would inform application middle-ware once a user is in a certain location, perhaps engaging additional positioning and or applications.

The exploitation of intelligent agent software is expected to rise over time as other enabling personalization technologies also grow in prominence.

Additional Resources:

Books about: Intelligent Agents