Can LLM Agents Simulate Dynamic Networks? A Case Study on Email Networks with Phishing Synthesis

Fuente: arXiv
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Main Authors: Miao, Siqi, Chen, Ziyang, Luo, Yuhong, Hsu, Hans Hao-Hsun, Li, Mufei, Zhang, Kaiqing, Li, Pan
Format: Preprint
Published: 2026
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_version_ 1866910213623250944
author Miao, Siqi
Chen, Ziyang
Luo, Yuhong
Hsu, Hans Hao-Hsun
Li, Mufei
Zhang, Kaiqing
Li, Pan
author_facet Miao, Siqi
Chen, Ziyang
Luo, Yuhong
Hsu, Hans Hao-Hsun
Li, Mufei
Zhang, Kaiqing
Li, Pan
contents While Large Language Model (LLM) multi-agent systems (MAS) offer a transformative approach to simulating human behavior in complex systems, it remains largely unexplored whether these simulations can replicate realistic structural and temporal dynamics from a dynamic network perspective. Our evaluation indicates that existing frameworks excel at generating plausible micro-level interactions but fail to capture the emergent, macroscopic topologies necessary for domains that rely on realistic network dynamics, such as modeling information propagation and cybersecurity threats. To bridge this gap, we introduce two easily integrable extensions to simulation frameworks to ensure they preserve macroscopic network fidelity: 1) augmenting LLM agents with data-driven event triggers to organically sustain long-horizon interactions, and 2) integrating Hawkes processes to accurately model temporal activation dynamics. Our approach allows LLM MAS to capture both plausible micro-level patterns and macroscopic topologies. We further demonstrate the utility of this framework in synthesizing realistic phishing campaigns within evolving communication networks. The study reveals how threats exploit structural vulnerabilities, highlighting the potential of our framework for developing next-generation defenses. Our code is available at https://github.com/Graph-COM/NSL.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2605_12507
institution arXiv
publishDate 2026
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Can LLM Agents Simulate Dynamic Networks? A Case Study on Email Networks with Phishing Synthesis
Miao, Siqi
Chen, Ziyang
Luo, Yuhong
Hsu, Hans Hao-Hsun
Li, Mufei
Zhang, Kaiqing
Li, Pan
Social and Information Networks
Artificial Intelligence
Multiagent Systems
While Large Language Model (LLM) multi-agent systems (MAS) offer a transformative approach to simulating human behavior in complex systems, it remains largely unexplored whether these simulations can replicate realistic structural and temporal dynamics from a dynamic network perspective. Our evaluation indicates that existing frameworks excel at generating plausible micro-level interactions but fail to capture the emergent, macroscopic topologies necessary for domains that rely on realistic network dynamics, such as modeling information propagation and cybersecurity threats. To bridge this gap, we introduce two easily integrable extensions to simulation frameworks to ensure they preserve macroscopic network fidelity: 1) augmenting LLM agents with data-driven event triggers to organically sustain long-horizon interactions, and 2) integrating Hawkes processes to accurately model temporal activation dynamics. Our approach allows LLM MAS to capture both plausible micro-level patterns and macroscopic topologies. We further demonstrate the utility of this framework in synthesizing realistic phishing campaigns within evolving communication networks. The study reveals how threats exploit structural vulnerabilities, highlighting the potential of our framework for developing next-generation defenses. Our code is available at https://github.com/Graph-COM/NSL.
title Can LLM Agents Simulate Dynamic Networks? A Case Study on Email Networks with Phishing Synthesis
topic Social and Information Networks
Artificial Intelligence
Multiagent Systems
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2605.12507