Norm Emergence in Multiagent Systems: A Viewpoint Paper

The literature on norm emergence and normative MAS considers norms from two perspectives, namely: prescriptive norms using deontic concepts, and emergent norms that capture preference behaviour. We find that both perspectives lend themselves naturally to specific ways of representing norms in a society, as either explicit or implicit. Our analysis of the norm emergence literature, contributes several insights for future research in normative MAS. For example, opportunities for the study of online norm synthesis mechanisms and the investigation of the conversion of social norms, typically observed in norm emergence, to legal norms in normative MAS. Conversely, concepts from normative MAS can be brought into norm emergence research. For example, the study of stable emergence to avoid instability in MAS and the investigation of whether high cognitive ability agents, typically found in normative MAS, can demonstrate norm emergence. We summarise our analysis and outline future challenges and opportunities for cross-over between norm-emergence and normative systems research.