MathematicsFebruary 14, 202618 min read
Conflict Resolution in Hierarchical Agent Teams: Practical Protocols Instead of Overstated Mechanism Proofs
Use structured scoring, bounded escalation, and explicit tie-breaks when agents disagree
Inter-agent conflict is normal in multi-agent teams. The operational challenge is not to eliminate disagreement but to resolve it with bounded delay and acceptable fairness. This article reframes conflict resolution as a protocol design problem: classify the conflict, compare admissible options under a shared scorecard, and escalate only when the local team cannot safely decide.
team-designconflict-resolutiongame-theoryNash-equilibriummechanism-designescalation-protocolsPareto-optimalhierarchical-teams