ABModSim 2012

The notions of agents and multi-agent systems have been adopted for the modeling of complex systems in the most varied contexts: from social sciences to urban planning, biology, logistics and production, and many other more. Agent-based models and simulators are used for research as well as for business/industrial applications. However, the concepts behind the term 'agent' are often quite different, as well as the goals, phases and practices involved in modeling and simulation activities. This leads to different approaches, models, mechanisms, methodologies and developed computational systems supporting simulation of the modeled realities.

The aim of this workshop, building on the experiences and results of the previous editions held in 2006, 2008 and 2010 is to bring together competencies related to agent-based modeling and simulation in different contexts, first of all to foster cross fertilization but also on one hand to understand what are the particular features of this kind of approach that made it so successful and widespread and, more important, to deeply explore the features that differentiate it from other computational approaches to the investigation of complex systems, like physical approaches and Cellular Automata. The theme for this year's edition of the symposium is thus “Untapping the true potential of Agent-Based Modeling”: the authors are invited to go in the details of the features of the agent-based approach that made them opt for it instead of different alternatives.

Next to paper presentations, ample room will be available for discussions, taking advantage of the friendly setting provided by EMCSR.

• actual MAS-based simulation experiences
• agent-based modeling methodologies
• generic or domain specific MAS models for simulation
• methodologies for the analysis of MAS-based simulation results
• multi-agent models for emergent phenomena and self-organization
• platforms for agent-based modeling and simulation
• relationships between MAS models and other computational models for the simulation of complex systems
• validation of MAS-based simulations