Intelligent agents

In computer science, an intelligent agent (IA) is a software agent that exhibits some form of artificial intelligence. While the working of software agents used for operator assistance or data mining (sometimes referred to as bots), are often based on fixed pre-programmed rules, "intelligent" here implies the ability to adapt and learn.

In some literature IAs are also referred to as autonomous intelligent agents, although autonomy is generally assumed for agents. According to Nicola Kasabov IA systems should exhibit the following characteristics:


 * learn and improve through interaction with the environment (embodiment)
 * adapt online and in real time
 * learn quickly from large amounts of data
 * accommodate new problem solving rules incrementally
 * have memory based exemplar storage and retrieval capacities
 * have parameters to represent short and long term memory, age, forgetting, etc.
 * be able to analyze itself in terms of behavior, error and success