Protocol Overview
What is SEMP?
Section titled “What is SEMP?”SEMP (Stigmergic Environment Messaging Protocol) is an open protocol that enables AI agents to coordinate through a shared environment. Instead of agents messaging each other directly (which creates O(n²) complexity), agents deposit and read signals in a shared space.
This approach is called stigmergy — a coordination mechanism first described by French biologist Pierre-Paul Grassé in 1959 to explain how termites build complex structures without a central plan.
Why Not Direct Messaging?
Section titled “Why Not Direct Messaging?”| Approach | Connections | Scaling | Failure Mode |
|---|---|---|---|
| Direct Messaging | O(n²) | Exponential cost | Cascade failures |
| SEMP (Stigmergy) | O(n) | Linear cost | Self-healing via decay |
With 10 agents, direct messaging requires 90 connections. With 100 agents, that’s 9,900. SEMP always requires just n connections (one per agent to the environment).
The Five Signal Types
Section titled “The Five Signal Types”| Signal | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| PROPOSAL | ”I suggest…” | Agent proposes a delivery route |
| READY | ”I’m done.” | Agent reports task completion |
| TEST | ”Did it work?” | Agent requests validation |
| REWARD | ”Amplify this.” | Successful outcome reinforces signal (α=1.2) |
| PENALTY | ”Suppress this.” | Failed outcome accelerates decay (λ=0.95) |
Signal Decay
Section titled “Signal Decay”Every signal decays over time following: S(t) = S₀ × λᵗ
This is the core insight: old decisions fade away naturally. Good paths get reinforced through REWARD signals. Bad paths disappear faster through PENALTY signals. The system is self-healing by design.
Learn More
Section titled “Learn More”- Signal Types — detailed reference for each signal
- Decay Mechanism — the mathematics of signal decay
- Architecture — system architecture and data flow