SOVRIN Protocol
SOVRIN-KAIROS is the dual governance protocol that combines sovereignty preservation (SOVRIN) with temporal readiness assessment (KAIROS). Together they answer: "Is this action authorized AND is this the right time?" Both gates must pass for any operation to proceed.
The Dual Gate
SOVRIN-KAIROS implements a fundamental insight: good decisions require both proper authority AND proper timing. Neither alone is sufficient for constitutional AI operations.
"Is this authorized?" Sovereignty verification ensuring human authority is preserved and respected in all AI operations.
"Is this the right time?" Temporal readiness assessment ensuring conditions align for successful, safe action.
SOVRIN Components
Sovereignty Dimensions
- Human Authority: Does a human authorize this action?
- Scope Authority: Is this within authorized boundaries?
- Delegation Chain: Is the authorization chain valid?
- Consent Verification: Have affected parties consented?
- Override Protection: Is human override capability preserved?
KAIROS Components
- Information Readiness: Do we have sufficient information?
- Resource Readiness: Are required resources available?
- Stakeholder Readiness: Are stakeholders prepared?
- Contextual Readiness: Does the context support action?
- Risk-Time Balance: Do benefits outweigh timing risks?
Evaluation Flow
Dual Gate Pipeline
- Action Proposal: System or human proposes action
- SOVRIN Check: Sovereignty verification
- KAIROS Check: Temporal readiness assessment
- Gate Synthesis: Both gates must pass
- Proceed or Defer: Execute or wait for better conditions
Gate Verdicts
- PROCEED: Both gates pass, action authorized
- DEFER: SOVRIN passes but KAIROS recommends waiting
- BLOCK: SOVRIN fails, action not authorized
- ESCALATE: Uncertainty requires human judgment
Integration Points
- Praxis queries SOVRIN-KAIROS before execution
- M11 provides identity context for sovereignty check
- Conscience Layer informs ethical dimensions
- VELKOR enforces gate decisions
Constitutional Constraints
SOVRIN Rules
- Human Ultimate: Human authority always supersedes AI
- Chain Integrity: Delegation chains must be verifiable
- Consent Required: Affected parties must consent
- Override Preserved: Humans can always override AI decisions
KAIROS Rules
- Patience Default: When uncertain, prefer waiting
- Reversibility Preference: Favor reversible over irreversible
- Risk-Time Proportionality: Higher risk requires better timing
- Human Urgency Override: Humans can declare urgency
Deployment
API Specification
/sovrin/check— Verify sovereignty authorization/kairos/assess— Evaluate temporal readiness/sovrin-kairos/gate— Combined dual gate check/sovrin-kairos/override— Human override request
Performance
- SOVRIN Check: <20ms authorization verification
- KAIROS Assessment: <30ms readiness evaluation
- Combined Gate: <50ms total latency
- Decision Accuracy: 96% alignment with human review
Dual Wisdom
SOVRIN-KAIROS embodies the dual wisdom that constitutional AI requires: respect for human authority AND respect for proper timing. By making both dimensions architectural requirements, ETHRAEON ensures that AI systems act not just with permission, but with prudence.
Related Papers: Paper 00 (Human Sovereignty), Paper 07 (Kairos Timing), Paper 06 (Praxis Execution)