LoopyLuci Agent Negotiation Strategies
Implementing agent negotiation strategies — from bargaining and auctions through game-theoretic negotiation, multi-issue negotiation, and argumentation.
When to Use
- Agents need to reach agreements on resource allocation
- Implementing auction systems for task distribution
- Multi-issue negotiation between autonomous agents
- Building competitive negotiation agents
- Applying game theory to agent interactions
Negotiation Protocols
NEGOTIATION_PROTOCOLS = {
'bargaining': 'Alternating offers between two agents until agreement',
'english_auction': 'Ascending price, last bidder wins',
'dutch_auction': 'Descending price, first bidder wins',
'vickrey': 'Sealed bid, second-highest price wins',
'contract_net': 'Manager broadcasts task, contractors bid, manager awards',
'monotonic_concession': 'Agents concede gradually toward agreement',
}
class Negotiator:
"""Agent negotiation with concession strategies."""
def __init__(self, reservation_price: float,
concession_rate: float = 0.1):
self.reservation = reservation_price # walk-away point
self.concession = concession_rate
self.round = 0
def propose(self, opponent_offer: float = None) -> float:
self.round += 1
if opponent_offer:
# Concede toward opponent
concession_amount = abs(opponent_offer - self.initial_offer) * self.concession
return max(self.reservation, self.initial_offer - concession_amount * self.round)
return self.initial_offer
def accept(self, offer: float) -> bool:
return offer >= self.reservation
Common Pitfalls
- Irrational opponents — real agents aren't perfectly rational; model bounded rationality
- Information asymmetry — one agent knows more than another; design for incomplete info
- Lying and deception — agents may misrepresent their preferences; build trust mechanisms
- Time pressure — negotiations must terminate; implement deadlines
- Multi-issue complexity — combining issues (price + timing + quality) needs sophisticated strategies
Verification Checklist
- Negotiation protocol chosen and documented
- Reservation/walk-away point defined
- Concession strategy designed (linear, exponential, time-based)
- Deal acceptance criteria defined
- Negotiation timeout mechanism
- Reputation tracking for repeated negotiations
- Fallback plan for negotiation failure