Mixed-initiative issues in an agent-based meeting scheduler

This paper concerns mixed-initiative interaction between users and agents. After classifying agents according to their task and their interactivity wi th the user, the critical aspects of delegation-based interaction are outli ned. Then MASMA, an agent system for distributed meeting scheduling, is des cribed, and the solutions developed to control interaction are explained in detail. The issues addressed concern: the agent capability of adapting its behavior to the user it is supporting; the solution adopted to control the shift of initiative between personal agents, their users and other agents in the environment; the availability of features, e.g. the inspection mecha nism, that endow the user with a further level of control to enhance his se nse of trust in the agent.