The term Multi-agent system was originally coined to mean a collection of software agents interacting within a computer environment. From this beginning, the community’s view of MAS was extended to include other types of entities such as virtual characters, robots, and humans, all interacting in a broader interpretation of a system. We have now arrived at a situation where our extended view of a social-technical system is composed of a multitude of different types of agents, interacting in mutually beneficial ways. In this new social system, the term utility takes on new meaning, referring to something that is of value for the mixed agent community as a whole, or a sub-set of it.

In this light, MAGMA focuses on the study, development and use of autonomous agents (AA) and MAS to solve problems that address a social concern or issue. Its goal is to produce AA and MAS that are of value to citizens, solving real-world problems and enriching society. Concentrating on AA and MAS that have an individual and social utility, we are interested in developing new roles for AA and MAS in society. In order to study and develop socially relevant AA and MAS, we must address a number of scientific challenges: