Autonomy and Desire in Machines and Cognitive Agent Systems

Abstract

The development of cognitive agent systems relies on theories of agency, within which the concept of desire is key. Indeed, in the quest to develop increasingly autonomous cognitive agent systems desire has had a significant role. Yet we argue that insufficient attention has been given to analysis and clarification of desire as a complex concept. Accordingly, in this paper we will discuss some key philosophical accounts of the nature of desire, including what distinguishes it from other mental and motivational states. We will then draw on these theories in order to investigate the role, definition and adequacy of concepts of desire within applied theoretical models of agency and agent systems. 12 !

Autonomous Driver Based on an Intelligent System of Decision-Making

“…[ 5 , 7 , 42 , 44 ]. The progress is a result of increasing autonomy of robots [ 27 , 39 ]. There are also projects related to autonomous vehicles, aircrafts or vessels, which are able to decide on their moves [ 9 ].…”

“…Emotions can eliminate reactions that are locally or temporarily inefficient, and unclog other movements (known or formerly learned) ’most’ suitable for the situation. Thus, emotions provide the system with a higher level of autonomy [ 27 , 39 ], which allows the system (agent) to choose the correct behaviour, even in the most difficult circumstances. In practice, various computational models of emotions can be of use in autonomous agents [ 37 ].…”

The Belief-Desire-Intention Architecture of Sincere Software Agent Environment

“…Software agent is one of the artificial intelligence fields [6], [7] that has been used widely to support the autonomous systems in various fields such as healthcare [8], [9], military [10], [11] and learning [12]. Its characteristics such as responsive, proactive, goal-oriented, reactive and learning capabilities shows that it is viable to be an intelligent assistant to humans being.…”

A review of humanoid robots

“…Wśród robotów stosowanych w medycynie wymienić należy ultradokładne roboty chirurgiczne (operujące z dużo większą precyzją niż człowiek), roboty wspierające rehabilitację, bądź opiekujące się ludźmi starszymi, dziećmi, osobami niepełnosprawnymi w ich codziennym życiu [2][3][4]. Postęp ten zachodzi wraz ze zwiększającą się autonomią konstruowanych robotów [5,6]. W konsekwencji realizowane są rozmaite projekty autonomicznych pojazdów (typu samochód, samolot, statek), które mają wbudowane funkcje samodzielnego podejmowania decyzji, co w znacznym stopniu wpływa na sposób ich działania [7,8].…”