AI_Diplomacy/experiments/SUMMARY_negotiation_improvements.md

Summary: Negotiation Awareness Improvements

Changes Made

1. Added Ignored Message Tracking

• Created get_ignored_messages_by_power() method in game_history.py
• Tracks when private messages receive no response
• Considers a message ignored if no response comes in same or next phase

2. Enhanced Negotiation Diary Prompt

• Added ignored messages context to show which powers aren't responding
• Added strategic guidance for dealing with non-responsive powers
• Added example scenario demonstrating adaptation to silence

3. Updated Agent Processing

• Modified generate_negotiation_diary_entry() to include ignored messages
• Added preprocessing for the new template variable
• Provides clear context about which messages were ignored

4. Improved Conversation Instructions

• Added awareness of powers that ignore messages
• Provided tactical guidance for getting responses:
  • Ask direct yes/no questions
  • Make public statements to force positions
  • Shift efforts to more receptive powers
  • Consider silence as potentially hostile

Benefits

• AI powers now recognize when they're being ignored
• They can adapt their diplomatic strategies accordingly
• More realistic negotiation behavior
• Better resource allocation (focus on responsive powers)

Technical Implementation

• Minimal, surgical changes to avoid breaking working system
• All prompts remain in separate files
• Comprehensive test coverage
• Clear documentation and examples

Testing

Created comprehensive test to verify:

• Ignored messages are correctly tracked
• Responsive powers are not marked as ignoring
• Multiple ignored messages are accumulated

All tests pass successfully.