Personal electronics, personal agents

The world is fast becoming a giant heterogeneous information system in which personal electronics products (including PDAs, PCs, set-top-boxes, etc.) play a key role. The vast number and diversity of the components and uses of the system necessitates a decentralised, emergent organisation. The agent metaphor offers an attractive route to achieving such an organisation. I outline the role of agent software in personal electronics in mediating between the individual user and the available services. I also discuss various standardisation and interoperability issues affecting the practicality of agents in this role