1. Cooperation in a Competitive Environment Supervisee: John Richter Supervisor: Philip Sterne

2. Pre-Contents Explanation The manner in which this presentation shall be given shall adhere to the well-known Scientific Method As such, it may differ from the presentation norms

3. Contents Section -1: Explanation of Scientific Method use Section 0: Contents Section 1: Characterization Section 2: Hypothesis Section 3: Prediction Section 4: Experimentation Section 5: Conclusions

4. Section 1: Characterization This, according to Wikipedia.org, can be defined as “a careful characterization of the subject of the investigation” Characterization: The act of describing distinctive characteristics or essential features

5. Section 1: Characterization To characterize: The agents Making use of a hybridisation of ANNs, GAs, and RL The game Greediness pays, but cooperation is sustainable

6. Section 1: Characterization Derived Characterization: Game Rules: Two kinds of food Specialization Agent Rules: Donations, generosity Deception and trust

7. Section 2: Hypothesis This researcher hypothesizes that despite independence and greed being possible, a society of sufficiently intelligent agents programmed with simple rules will display cooperation as a form of emergent behaviour.

8. Section 3: Prediction This researcher predicts: Emergent cooperation See Reynolds, C. Boids. http://www.red3d.com/cwr/boids/index.html http://www.red3d.com/cwr/boids/index.html ‘Sub-cultures’ Early high-death rates, followed by long-term stability Eventual negligent amounts of deception ‘Hunters’ and ‘Gatherers’ forming regular trade partnerships

9. Section 4: Experimentation The present progress extends mostly into this phase Progress into components: ANN- 99.9% GA- 100% RL- 0% Other (Hybrid, etc.)- 0%

10. Section 5: Conclusions Watch this space, and final write-up for more!

11. Final Notes This research falls into the category of MAS (Multi-Agent Simulation), and more specifically, MASS (Multi-Agent Social Simulation). One of the chief authors in this field, which this researcher highly recommends reading, is Cristiano Castelfranchi

12. Questions For all those who would like an alternative to questions, the following haiku has been selected as one of particular quality. This researcher hopes you enjoy it: In the falling snow A laughing boy holds out his palms Until they are white