# Cooperation in Human and Machine Agents: Promise Theory Considerations

arXiv: https://arxiv.org/abs/2604.10505 · HTML: https://mlsanity.com/paper/2604.10505/

## Key facts

- Cited by 1 papers in the map (data through 14 Oct 2026).
- Builds on 0 of its 40 references that are in the map.
- First posted on arXiv 12 Apr 2026.

## Built on by (most cited first, 1 of 1)

- [The Civilization Framework: Sovereign-Anchored Communication Between Personal Multi-Agent Systems](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2609.03425/) (2026)

## Abstract (arXiv)

Agent based systems are more common than we may think. A Promise Theory perspective on cooperation, in systems of human-machine agents, offers a unified perspective on organization and functional design with semi-automated efforts, in terms of the abstract properties of autonomous agents, This applies to human efforts, hardware systems, software, and artificial intelligence, with and without management. One may ask how does a reasoning system of components keep to an intended purpose? As the agent paradigm is now being revived, in connection with artificial intelligence agents, I revisit established principles of agent cooperation, as applied to humans, machines, and their mutual interactions. Promise Theory represents the fundamentals of signalling, comprehension, trust, risk, and feedback between agents, and offers some lessons about success and failure.