Main purpose – to handle information overload for users.
Key abilities – proactively acquires, mediates, and maintains relevant information on behalf of users.
Semantic brokering – understanding meaning, not just keywords.
Three functions – (1) proactive resource discovery, (2) resolving information impedance, (3) offering value-added services.
Information sources – traditional databases, websites, other information agents.
Google – announced information agents built into Search at its annual developer conference.
Example – finding a researcher and technical report from FTP sites.
Benefits – saves time, reduces stress, finds hidden info, personalised, cross-source, proactive.
Challenges – access restrictions, privacy, accuracy, computing cost.
Information impedance – mismatch between what user needs and how source presents data.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
Q1: What is an information agent?
A: An information agent is an intelligent software entity that accesses and manages information from multiple sources on behalf of users.
Q2: What is the main purpose of information agents?
A: Their main purpose is to handle information overload for users. They find, organise, and update information so you don't have to.
Q3: Information agents mainly work with what type of information sources?
A: They work with distributed and heterogeneous information sources. That means sources spread across different locations and in different formats.
Q4: What does an information agent do on behalf of users?
A: It proactively acquires, mediates, and maintains relevant information. It also discovers resources, resolves mismatches, and provides value-added services.
Q5: What did Google announce about information agents?
A: Google announced that it will build information agents into Google Search. The agents will monitor the web on behalf of users and bring them relevant information automatically.