  In this talk I review where we stand regarding the engineering of multi-agent
systems. There is both good news and bad news. The good news is that over the
past decade we've made considerable progress on techniques for engineering
multi-agent systems: we have good, usable methodologies, and mature tools.
Furthermore, we've seen a wide range of demonstrated applications, and have
even begun to quantify the advantages of agent technology. However, industry
involvement in AAMAS appears to be declining (as measured by industry
sponsorship of the conference), and industry affiliated attendants at AAMAS
2012 were few (1-2%). Furthermore, looking at the applications of agents being
reported at recent AAMAS, usage of Agent Oriented Software Engineering (AOSE)
and of Agent Oriented Programming Languages (AOPLs) is quite limited. This
observation is corroborated by the results of a 2008 survey by Frank and
Virginia Dignum. Based on these observations, I make five recommendations: (1)
Re-engage with industry; (2) Stop designing AOPLs and AOSE methodologies ...
and instead ... (3) Move to the "macro" level: develop techniques for designing
and implementing interaction, integrate micro (single cognitive agent) and
macro (MAS) design and implementation; (4) Develop techniques for the Assurance
of MAS; and (5) Re-engage with the US.
