ECAI-96, Budapest (Hungary), August 12th, 1996
``Argumentation for Agent Communication''
With the increased sophistication of the tasks performed by computers and
the increased use of computers in collaborative settings, argumentation
has become an important component of the interaction between computers and
users. For example, Knowledge-based Systems must present arguments to
justify their recommendations, Intelligent Tutoring Systems need to
explain why a particular proposition is or isn't true, and negotiation
systems need to justify why a particular course of action is better than
some alternative.
Different disciplines, such as AI, Linguistics, Cognitive Science and
Philosophy, have provided models of argumentation that differ in their
approach and objectives. In this workshop we propose to examine how we can
make use of different viewpoints and insights from diverse disciplines.
In particular, we propose to address the following issues:
Computational models of argumentation --
Several computational models of argumentation have been presented in the
literature. Is there a generic computational argumentation model? If not,
what are the parameters that differentiate one model from another? Are
certain parameters more significant in one application than another?
Ways of presenting an argument --
An argument may be deductive or inductive. It may be presented by means of
text, graphics or a combination of modalities. Textual arguments may be
presented in different styles, e.g., counterfactual or illustrative. What
is the relationship between the style of the argument and the line of
reasoning used to reach a conclusion? Why should a particular line of
reasoning or a particular style be chosen in preference to another? How
does the type of argument affect the appropriateness of a modality and
vice versa?
Parameters that affect argumentation --
An argument may be presented to a software agent or a person, a novice or
an experienced user, an adult or a child. Arguments may be used in a
variety of contexts, where the context is characterized by parameters such
as the setting of the interaction, e.g., negotiation, instruction and
information providing, its urgency, and the relative standing of the
interacting agents. Arguments are also generated to achieve different
goals, e.g., convince an agent to perform an action, justify the
correctness of a proposition, and support a claim. How is the
argumentation model influenced by these (and possibly other) parameters?
Submissions are invited on original and substantial research that
addresses one or more of the above questions. In addition to AI
researchers, we would like to encourage researchers from allied
disciplines such as Linguistics, Psychology and Philosophy to present
their points of view. Accepted submissions will be published in workshop
notes that will be distributed to workshop attendees. After the workshop,
we intend to solicit revised versions of selected high-quality papers for
publication in a book.
SUBMISSION INFORMATION
----------------------
Attendance at the workshop will be limited to 30 participants.
Participants will be selected on the basis of submitted papers (10 pages
maximum in postscript, point size no less than 12). Electronic submissions
will be accepted for papers generated from latex source. Papers generated
from other sources, e.g., Word, must be submitted by mail. Papers must
include in the first page: the title, author's name(s), affiliation,
complete mailing address, phone number, fax number, e-mail, an abstract of
300 words maximum, and up to five keywords.
Submissions should be sent to:
Ingrid Zukerman
Department of Computer Science Phone: +61 3 9905-5202
Monash University Fax: +61 3 9905-5146
Clayton, VICTORIA 3168
AUSTRALIA Email: ingrid@cs.monash.edu.au
ORGANIZING COMMITTEE:
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Patrick Brezillon, University Paris 6 (France)
Sandra Carberry, University of Delaware (USA)
Graeme Hirst, University of Toronto (Canada)
Cecile Paris, University of Brighton (UK)
Katia Sycara, Carnegie Mellon University (USA)
Ingrid Zukerman, Monash University (Australia)
WORKSHOP SCHEDULE AND PRELIMINARY AGENDA:
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Papers received: March 1, 1996
Author notification: April 1, 1996
Final papers received: May 1, 1996
Preprints distributed: May 20, 1996