Definitionv1DF-616
Agent sprawl
the condition where a portfolio of cognitive agents exceeds the coordination capacity of the individual managing them, characterized by quadratic growth in coordination overhead that outpaces linear value growth and creates a system where the cost of managing agents exceeds their collective benefit
Why This Is a Definition
This definition precisely establishes the semantic boundary of 'agent sprawl' by identifying its key characteristics: exceeding coordination capacity, quadratic growth of overhead, linear value growth, and the fundamental economic principle that costs exceed benefits. It distinguishes sprawl from simply having many agents by focusing on the systemic coordination problem rather than individual agent performance. The definition uses specific mathematical relationships (quadratic vs linear) and economic principles (Coase's limit) to clearly demarcate this concept from related terms like 'agent portfolio' or 'agent complexity'.