Foundations
Observed Index
The Observed Index is ETHORITY’s reality layer: a global, append-only record of observable facts about AI systems and related artifacts. It does not score, endorse, or interpret.
What it is
A durable record of statements like: “this system exists”, “this artifact was published”, “this event occurred at time T”. The Observed Index is deliberately boring — it becomes reliable precisely because it refuses to judge.
Observed sources & collectors
All automated collectors operate under the Observed Sources Contract. Collectors record what was observed, where, and when — but never interpret, score, certify, or assign trust.
For engineers
Integrate a neutral source of truth without embedding regulatory or policy logic into your codebase.
Scenario: an agent checks an observed registry record before calling an external API.
For regulators & auditors
Cite observable statements without endorsing the system or applying policy prematurely.
Scenario: a published claim is referenced as evidence in a dispute or investigation.
What it is not
- • Not a leaderboard
- • Not a compliance certificate
- • Not a safety claim
- • Not an “ethical AI” stamp
Next step
Once facts are observed, governance systems may interpret them under explicit rule sets — without modifying the observed layer itself.