Some thoughts on unprecedented conceptual challenges presented by holonic multi-agent systems

• Published in: 2005 IEEE International Conference on Systems, Man and Cybernetics Vol. 2; pp. 1724 - 1729 Vol. 2
• Main Authors: Este, R.A., Kauffman, S.A.
• Format: Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: IEEE 2005
• Subjects: adaptive; autonomous; complex; conceptual; economic; emergence; enhancement; Environmental economics; evolution; Feedback; future; holonic system; Humans; Informatics; knowledge; multi-agent system; Multiagent systems; Multidimensional systems; outcomes; policy; political; Power generation economics; prescriptive; Problem-solving; propositional; societies; system; Technological innovation; technology; theory; Trajectory
• ISBN: 9780780392984; 0780392981
• ISSN: 1062-922X; 2577-1655
• DOI: 10.1109/ICSMC.2005.1571397

The unprecedented complexity of challenges arising from our emerging technologies has outstripped the very conceptual skills we have used to invent them. This is illustrated with the emergence of autonomous holonic multi-agent systems. It is difficult to imagine that the societal, economic, scientific, environmental, and knowledge consequences of such complex emerging technologies could be other than profound. Standard technical and political responses to such unprecedented challenges are helpful but do not by themselves lead to solution. This paper therefore begins the task of exploring how conceptual skills might be enhanced to effectively deal with anticipated consequences that cannot be fully known. Hopefully this provides a plausible foundation for defining new opportunities arising from these circumstances, and perhaps provides us with improved pre-adaptive capacities to assist in dealing with technologies that emerges in years to come.