Figure 1 shows the anatomy of an intelligent agent. An intelligent agent performs tasks which have both declarative and procedural components. It can use alternative reasoning strategies, including belief management. An agent's repertoire of tasks represents its capabilities. The notion of autonomy means that an agent exercises exclusive control over its own actions and state.
Reactivity means sensing or perceiving change in their environment and responding.
To achieve common goals agents need coordination. Effective coordination requires cooperation, which in turn can be achieved through communication and organization. Different agents may perceive the same event or object differently. Agents may specialize in or focus on different problems and sub-problems. An important goal is convergence on solutions despite incomplete or inconsistent knowledge or data.