Game Theory in Computer Science

Module code: CO4212

Modern computer science has to deal with large, heterogeneous networks in which a large number of autonomous agents interact. Often, such systems are not centrally planned, but evolve in a distributed fashion as a result of the interaction of agents. They can be modelled using concepts from game theory. This module introduces the basic concepts from game theory and discusses their use in the solution and modelling of problems faced by computer scientists. Examples include the prediction of the equilibrium state reached via the interaction of selfish users in a communication network, and the comparison of that state with a globally optimised state. Other examples include the design of mechanisms ensuring that individual players will behave in a way that achieves a desirable global state of the system.