Intelligent Agents
From Software Agents mailing list FAQ:
"First of all, it should be noted that there are widely varying definitions of the term 'agent'. This FAQ will not attempt to provide an authoritative definition, but will mention some qualities shared by most agents, and will provide pointers to further sources of information.
"Agent-oriented programming (AOP) concerns itself with the creation of software agents. A dictionary definition of the term 'agent' follows:
'An entity authorized to act on another's behalf.'
"A software agent, then, is a piece of software which acts to accomplish tasks on behalf of its user.
"Many agents are based on the idea that the user need only specify specify a high-level goal instead of issuing explicit instructions, leaving the 'how' and 'when' decisions to the agent."
Two paragraphs from Ted Lewis' column in the October 1995 IEEE Computer best answer this question:
"Living in real time means living with too much data. There is simply too much to learn and too little time to learn it all. Therefore, the Info Age student must learn how to learn, extend learning throughout his or her entire life, and absorb only what is needed, when it is needed. Infokids want just-in-time and just-enough learning. Unlike students in other ages, they must filter out the deluge of data and focus on the data needed at the moment.
"... Unlike Agarian learning, Info age learning is highly automated and expert-based. High-speed computerized filtering, searching, and sorting capabilities protect students from information overload. ..."
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