Evolutionary computing in multi-agent environments: Operators

Bull, Larry

Abstract

This paper examines a key aspect of applying evolutionary computing techniques to multi-agent systems: a comparison in the performance of the genetic operators of mutation and recombination. Using the tuneable NKC model of multi-agent evolution it is shown that the benefits of simple recombination and mutation vary depending on the type of system, with bit mutation capable of doing as well as recombination in systems with significant inter-agent epistasis. The effects of fitness sharing between the interacting individuals are then examined and it is shown that mutation can do as well as, or better than, recombination even under low inter-agent epistasis; fitness sharing is shown to alter the characteristics of the coevolving system.

• Presentation Conference Type: Conference Paper (published)
• Conference Name: EP 1998: Evolutionary Programming VII
• Start Date: Mar 25, 1998
• End Date: Mar 27, 1998
• Publication Date: Jan 1, 1998
• Pages: 43-52
• Series Title: Lecture Notes in Computer Science
• Series Number: 1447
• Series ISSN: 0302-9743
• Book Title: EP 1998: Evolutionary Programming VII
• ISBN: 9783540648918
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BFb0040758
• Keywords: computation by abstract devices, algorithm analysis and problem complexity, programming techniques, processor architectures, artificial intelligence
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/1100926
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BFb0040758