KnoWeb-a knowledge web for large-scale, evolving distributed knowledge resources

In order for knowledge based systems to continue advancing into the mainstream of computing technology, they must become capable of addressing large and complex problems. An architecture concept has been developed that integrates a potentially large number of otherwise independent knowledge modules into a rich knowledge environment supporting users in broad fields of endeavor. A network of cooperating intelligent agents mediates user interactions with the knowledge resources and manages mutual distributed inferencing to solve problems for users. The current effort is focused on a prototype implementation of the agents and distributed inferencing processes, which will provide interfaces for multiple users and distributed knowledge repositories