Distributed Decision-Making Algorithms with Multiple Manipulative Actors: A Feedback-Control Perspective

Distributed decision-making in the presence of multiple manipulative actors is studied, in the context of a linear distributed-consensus algorithm which has been enhanced to feedback controls enacted by these actors. The main contribution of the work is to evaluate the interplay among the manipulative actors in deciding the asymptotic decisions reached by the network of decision-making agents. In particular, the dependence of the asymptotic opinions on the network's topology and the manipulative actors' control schemes is characterized. Also, an example is used to illustrate that interactions among the actors may impact the dynamics of the decision-making algorithm in sophisticated ways.