Agent-based models of social dynamics. What for?

In this talk, I review my experience in developing agent-based models of social dynamics and I discuss some strengths and weaknesses of the approach. I start with a model of farmer’s decision to adopt, or not, environmentally friendly practices. This model includes various sources of data and initially aims at supporting policy makers’ decisions. I contrast this type of models with more abstract models of opinion dynamics, which disclose unexpected emergent effects.  Finally, I present recent models that led to an experimental work about a yet undetected cognitive bias.  I conclude the talk with my view on some challenges that our field of research faces.