Multi-agent Belief Management

Mentored by Sebastian Rudolph, Markus Krötzsch
at TU Dresden, Chair of Computational Logic

Multi-Agent Systems (MAS) represent a central research area within Artificial Intelligence, facilitating the analysis and solution of complex problems. A fundamental aspect of MAS is the formal representation and aggregation of the beliefs of multiple agents. Recent advances in computational social choice have spurred the adoption of voting methods for this purpose, offering a promising avenue for improving the efficiency and effectiveness of MAS. At the heart of voting theory is the Condorcet jury theorem, which provides probabilistic guarantees for identifying the optimal choice among multiple alternatives, albeit under strict assumptions.

The goal of this project is twofold: First, to overcome the limitations of the Condorcet Jury Theorem by exploring its generalizations under relaxed assumptions. Second, to use these advances to address challenges at the intersection of multi-agent systems and the area of Knowledge Representation and Reasoning. Our intention is to use these refined voting methods, based on the principles of the Condorcet Jury Theorem, to effectively merge the probabilistic beliefs of multiple agents within MAS frameworks.

Work environment

Joining an internationally renowned team specializing in Knowledge Representation and Reasoning, you will be immersed in a collaborative environment with various groups dedicated to computational logic. In addition, you will have access to state-of-the-art high-performance computing (HPC) resources at the ScaDS.AI Center for Scalable Data Analytics and AI in Dresden/Leipzig.

Prerequisites

• Master’s Degree (or equivalent) in computer science, mathematics, formal logic, or a closely related field
• Proficient understanding of formal logic and probability theory, coupled with an enthusiasm for applying methods from social choice theory
• Given the interdisciplinary nature of the project, experience navigating the convergence of conceptual and formal methodologies, such as in formal philosophy or philosophical investigations in computer science and mathematics, is an advantage

Further details on the requirements and application process can be found in SECAI's announcement for open PhD positions in 2024.