Auton Agent Multi-Agent Syst (2013) 26:141–183 DOI 10.1007/s10458-011-9185-2 Satisfying agent goals by executing different task semantics: HTN, OWL-S or plug one yourself Erdem Eser Ekinci · Tayfun Gökmen Halaç · Rıza Cenk Erdur · Övünç Çetin · Ibrahim Cakirlar · Oguz Dikenelli Published online: 18 October 2011 © The Author(s) 2011 Abstract In this paper, we propose a plan execution architecture which supports different task semantics. This way, each goal that is identified during the deliberation cycle of an agent can be satisfied through tasks defined in different semantics. The capability of support- ing different task semantics provides two main advantages. The first advantage is the reuse of legacy artifacts within agent plans. The second advantage is simplifying the adaptation of an agent architecture to different standards of a business organization. In order to inte- grate various task semantics within a plan execution architecture, we have used a smoothly revised version of a previously articulated workflow model into which different task seman- tics would be reduced before execution. We have integrated hierarchical task network and OWL-S semantics into our plan execution architecture to test the strength of it in terms of support for executing different task semantics in an agent architecture. We think that such a plan execution architecture will contribute to the industrialization of agent architectures. Keywords BDI agent · Plan execution architecture · Workflow · Semantic service · Hierarchical task networks E. E. Ekinci (B ) · T. G. Halaç · R. C. Erdur · I. Cakirlar · O. Dikenelli Computer Engineering Department, Ege University, Bornova, 35100 Izmir, Turkey e-mail: erdemeserekinci@gmail.com T. G. Halaç e-mail: tayfunhalac@gmail.com R. C. Erdur e-mail: cenk.erdur@ege.edu.tr I. Cakirlar e-mail: icakirlar@gmail.com O. Dikenelli e-mail: oguz.dikenelli@ege.edu.tr Ö. Çetin Computer Engineering Department, Bogazici University, Istanbul, Turkey e-mail: ovunccetin@gmail.com 123