Intermediating user-DSS interaction with autonomous agents

The use of advanced decision support system (DSS) capabilities is hampered by the inadequacy of a "toolbox" organization of DSS from the user's perspective. In such a setup, the user is assumed to have all the knowledge and skills necessary to appropriately use the tools provided by the system in the decision-making process. This paper proposes a model for the use of autonomous agents as intermediaries between the users and the system. The model is organized around the human problem-solving process. The paper elaborates on the types of intermediary agents and the architecture for a DSS. The approach is illustrated using the prototype for an investment DSS.