Internal Status

Definition #

The dynamic state of an agent that evolves over time, encompassing memory, beliefs, goals, and emotional state.

Role: It represents what is changing internally as the agent experiences the simulation.

The Problem That Led to It #

An agent's initial characteristics are not enough.

Agents experience events, remember things, change beliefs, pursue goals, and experience emotional changes.

What Problem It Solves #

Internal Status allows the agent to have a changing internal state.

Experience ↓ Memory / Beliefs / Goals / Emotion ↓ Internal Status changes ↓ Future decision changes

What Happens If Not Used #

Agents would have difficulty representing learning, changing beliefs, evolving goals, or remembered experiences.

Easy Wording #

Internal Status is what is currently happening inside the agent and can change over time.

Layman Example #

A student initially believes:

"The exam will be easy."

After taking a difficult practice test:

"The exam may be difficult."

The student's internal state changed.

Technical Example #

Initial: Belief = Exam is easy Goal = Pass Memory = None Emotion = Calm

    ↓

Experience difficult test

    ↓

Updated: Belief = Exam may be difficult Goal = Pass Memory = Difficult test Emotion = Anxious

Limitation #

Internal states can become complicated because memory, beliefs, goals, and emotions can influence one another.

Solution #

We have covered what happens inside the agent.

Now we need to represent what can be observed outside the agent.

That is External Status.