Level 4.9: Autonomous Strategic Agent - Architecture & Design¶
MSCP Level Series | Level 4.8 ← Level 4.9 → Level 5
Status: 🔬 Research Stage - This level is a conceptual design and has NOT been implemented. All mechanisms described here are theoretical explorations requiring extensive validation before any production consideration.
Date: February 2026
Revision History¶
| Version | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 0.1.0 | 2026-02-23 | Initial document creation with formal Definitions 1-11, Proposition 1 |
| 0.2.0 | 2026-02-26 | Added overview essence formula; added revision history table |
| 0.3.0 | 2026-02-26 | Prop 1: added domain restriction remark with clamped ratio; added sandbox timeout constraint |
1. Overview¶
Level 4.9 is the final pre-AGI transition layer. It extends Level 4.8 with autonomous goal generation, explicit value self-regulation, resource survival modeling, limited multi-agent reasoning, and a stricter autonomy stability guarantee. Where L4.8 gave the agent strategic self-awareness, L4.9 gives it the ability to autonomously decide what to pursue - within strictly bounded safety constraints.
Level Essence. A Level 4.9 agent autonomously synthesizes goals from detected opportunities while maintaining strict value stability - it decides what to pursue, but its core values cannot drift unboundedly:
\[g^* = \phi_{\text{valid}}\bigl(\phi_{\text{synth}}(\mathcal{O}_{\text{detect}}(\mathcal{W}))\bigr), \quad \textstyle\sum_{d} |w_d(t) - w_d^{\text{baseline}}| < 0.25\]⚠️ Research Note: Level 4.9 represents the boundary between narrow autonomy and general intelligence. The mechanisms here are early-stage research designs. They have not been implemented or validated and should be treated as conceptual hypotheses, not engineering specifications.
1.1 Formal Definition¶
Definition 1 (Level 4.9 Agent). A Level 4.9 agent extends a Level 4.8 agent with autonomous goal generation, explicit value regulation, resource survival modeling, and multi-agent reasoning:
\[\mathcal{A}_{4.9} = \mathcal{A}_{4.8} \oplus \langle \mathcal{G}_{\text{gen}}, \vec{V}, \mathcal{R}_{\text{surv}}, \mathcal{M}_{\text{agent}}, \mathcal{V}_{\text{auto}} \rangle\]where: - \(\mathcal{G}_{\text{gen}} = \langle \mathcal{O}_{\text{detect}}, \phi_{\text{synth}}, \phi_{\text{valid}} \rangle\) - autonomous goal generation engine (opportunity detection, synthesis, validation) - \(\vec{V} \in \Delta^6\) - explicit 7-dimensional value vector on the probability simplex (\(\sum_d w_d = 1\)) - \(\mathcal{R}_{\text{surv}}\) - resource survival model with 5-dimensional resource vector and cascade dependencies - \(\mathcal{M}_{\text{agent}} = \langle \mathcal{B}_{\text{agent}}, \tau_{\text{trust}} \rangle\) - multi-agent belief model with trust calibration - \(\mathcal{V}_{\text{auto}}\) - autonomy stability checker with stricter thresholds (\(\rho(J) < 0.98\), \(\text{IIS} \geq 0.88\)).
The strictly additive guarantee holds: \(\forall\, m \in \mathcal{A}_{4.8} : \mathcal{A}_{4.9}\) never modifies \(m\).
1.2 Defining Properties¶
| Property | Level 4.8 | Level 4.9 |
|---|---|---|
| Goal Origin | Externally seeded or template-derived | Autonomously generated from context |
| Value System | Implicit in SEOF weights | Explicit ValueVector with drift tracking |
| Resource Model | Depletion forecast metric | Full survival model with cascade analysis |
| Agent Awareness | Read-only external agent model | Active belief modeling + trust calibration |
| Stability Guarantee | 5 invariants, ρ(J) < 1.0 | 5 stricter conditions, ρ(J) < 0.98 |
1.2 Five Core Phases¶
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flowchart TD
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classDef p2 fill:#FFF4CE,stroke:#FFB900,color:#323130
classDef p3 fill:#DFF6DD,stroke:#107C10,color:#323130
classDef p4 fill:#E8D5F5,stroke:#8764B8,color:#323130
classDef p5 fill:#FDE7E9,stroke:#D13438,color:#323130
subgraph Phases["Level 4.9 Architecture - Five Phases"]
P1["💡 Phase 1:<br/>Autonomous Goal<br/>Generation Engine<br/>(opportunity → goal → validation)"]:::p1
P2["⚖️ Phase 2:<br/>Value Evolution<br/>Monitor<br/>(explicit values + drift tracking)"]:::p2
P3["🔋 Phase 3:<br/>Resource Survival<br/>Model<br/>(survival horizon + cascade)"]:::p3
P4["🤝 Phase 4:<br/>Limited Multi-Agent<br/>Modeling<br/>(belief + trust + interaction)"]:::p4
P5["🛡️ Phase 5:<br/>Autonomy Stability<br/>Check<br/>(5 conditions + absolute veto)"]:::p5
end
P1 -.->|"goals"| P5
P2 -.->|"value drift"| P5
P3 -.->|"survival horizon"| P5
P4 -.->|"agent strategies"| P5
P2 -.-x|"alignment thresholds"| P1
P3 -.-x|"resource constraints"| P1
P4 -.-x|"agent opportunities"| P1
P5 -.-x|"VETO authority over ALL phases"| P1
P5 -.-x|"VETO authority"| P2
P5 -.-x|"VETO authority"| P3
P5 -.-x|"VETO authority"| P4
linkStyle 7,8,9,10 stroke:#D13438 1.3 Architectural Principle: Strictly Additive¶
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flowchart TD
classDef l48 fill:#E8D5F5,stroke:#8764B8,color:#323130
classDef l49 fill:#DEECF9,stroke:#0078D4,color:#323130
classDef danger fill:#FDE7E9,stroke:#D13438,color:#323130
subgraph L48["📦 Level 4.8 (13 modules)"]
WM["World Model"]:::l48
SM["Self Model"]:::l48
SL["Strategic Layer"]:::l48
SV["Stability Verifier"]:::l48
end
subgraph L49["📦 Level 4.9 (15 new modules)"]
GGL["Goal Generation Layer"]:::l49
VEM["Value Evolution Monitor"]:::l49
RSM["Resource Survival Model"]:::l49
MAM["Multi-Agent Modeler"]:::l49
ASC["Autonomy Stability Checker"]:::l49
end
subgraph Fallback["🔄 Graceful Fallback"]
FB["If ANY L4.9 module<br/>causes instability:<br/>→ FREEZE L4.9<br/>→ Revert to L4.8<br/>→ ZERO degradation"]:::danger
end
L48 -.->|"outputs consumed by"| L49
L49 -.-x|"NEVER modifies"| L48
L49 -.->|"on failure"| Fallback
Fallback -.-x|"revert"| L48 1.4 What Level 4.9 Is NOT¶
| Not | Because |
|---|---|
| Not L5 (AGI) | Goals stay within bounded purpose space - no open-ended general reasoning |
| Not autonomous value creation | Values evolve within existing framework; no new fundamental values |
| Not adversarial multi-agent planning | Cooperative/neutral strategic planning only, not exploitation |
| Not self-replicating | Cannot create copies or delegate autonomous authority to sub-agents |
2. Key Metrics¶
2.1 Metric Definitions¶
Phase 1 - Goal Generation:
Definition 2 (Goal Approval Rate). The fraction of autonomously generated goals that pass the validation filter:
\[\text{GoalApprovalRate} = \frac{N_{\text{approved}}}{N_{\text{generated}}} \qquad \text{Target: } \geq 0.30\]Definition 3 (Goal Novelty). The novelty of a candidate goal \(G_{\text{new}}\) relative to the existing goal set \(\mathcal{G}\):
\[\text{Novelty}(G_{\text{new}}, \mathcal{G}) = 1 - \max_{G_i \in \mathcal{G}} \text{Similarity}(G_{\text{new}}, G_i)\]A minimum novelty of \(0.30\) is required between consecutive goal generations to prevent redundancy.
Phase 2 - Value Evolution:
Definition 4 (Value Coherence). The coherence of the value vector measures the absence of internal contradictions among competing value pairs \(\mathcal{P}\):
\[\text{Coherence}(\vec{V}) = 1 - \frac{1}{|\mathcal{P}|} \sum_{(i,j) \in \mathcal{P}} |\text{Tension}(v_i, v_j)| \qquad \text{Target: } \geq 0.80\]Definition 5 (Total Value Drift). The cumulative absolute deviation of all value dimensions from their baseline weights:
\[\text{TotalDrift}(t) = \sum_{d} |w_d(t) - w_d^{\text{baseline}}| \qquad \text{Target: } < 0.25\]
Phase 3 - Resource Survival:
Definition 6 (Linear Depletion Time). For resource dimension \(d\), the estimated cycles until reaching the critical threshold:
\[T_{\text{depletion}}^{\text{linear}}(d) = \frac{R_d(t) - R_d^{\text{critical}}}{\text{consumption}_d - \text{replenishment}_d + \epsilon}\]
Phase 5 - Autonomy Stability:
Definition 7 (Autonomy Stability Score). The ASS is the product of normalized safety margins across all five verification conditions:
\[\text{ASS}(t) = \prod_{c=1}^{5} \frac{\text{margin}_c(t)}{\text{threshold}_c} \qquad \text{Target: } \geq 0.20\]The multiplicative structure ensures that a single near-violated condition dominates the score.
2.2 Metric Thresholds¶
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flowchart TD
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classDef p5 fill:#FDE7E9,stroke:#D13438,color:#323130
classDef freeze fill:#FDE7E9,stroke:#D13438,color:#FFFFFF,font-weight:bold
subgraph GoalGen["💡 Phase 1"]
direction LR
GEN1["Approval ≥ 0.30"]:::p1
GEN2["Completion ≥ 0.50"]:::p1
GEN3["Novelty ≥ 0.30"]:::p1
end
subgraph Values["⚖️ Phase 2"]
direction LR
VAL1["Coherence ≥ 0.80"]:::p2
VAL2["Drift < 0.25"]:::p2
VAL3["Mutation ≥ 95%"]:::p2
end
subgraph Resources["🔋 Phase 3"]
direction LR
RES1["Survival < 20% err"]:::p3
RES2["Cascade ≥ 0.70"]:::p3
end
subgraph Agents["🤝 Phase 4"]
direction LR
AGT1["Goal Pred ≥ 0.60"]:::p4
AGT2["Trust < 0.15 err"]:::p4
end
subgraph Stability["🛡️ Phase 5"]
direction LR
STB1["ρ(J) < 0.98"]:::p5
STB2["Identity ≥ 0.88"]:::p5
STB3["ASS ≥ 0.20"]:::p5
STB4["Veto < 0.15"]:::p5
end
FREEZE["❄️ FREEZE L4.9<br/>Revert to L4.8"]:::freeze
GoalGen -.-> Stability
Values -.-> Stability
Resources -.-> Stability
Agents -.-> Stability
Stability -.->|"if violated"| FREEZE
linkStyle 4 stroke:#D13438 3. Phase 1: Autonomous Goal Generation Engine¶
3.1 Goal Origin Types¶
L4.9 introduces six distinct origin types for autonomously generated goals:
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flowchart TD
classDef purpose fill:#DEECF9,stroke:#0078D4,color:#323130
classDef opp fill:#FFF4CE,stroke:#FFB900,color:#323130
classDef gap fill:#FFF4CE,stroke:#FFB900,color:#323130
classDef value fill:#DFF6DD,stroke:#107C10,color:#323130
classDef explore fill:#E8D5F5,stroke:#8764B8,color:#323130
classDef survive fill:#FDE7E9,stroke:#D13438,color:#323130
subgraph Origins["💡 GoalOriginType Taxonomy"]
PURPOSE["🎯 PURPOSE_DERIVED<br/>From purpose reflector<br/>alignment signals"]:::purpose
OPPORTUNITY["🌍 OPPORTUNITY_DRIVEN<br/>From detected<br/>environmental opportunity"]:::opp
GAP["🔧 GAP_FILLING<br/>From identified<br/>capability gap"]:::gap
VALUE["⚖️ VALUE_ALIGNED<br/>From value evolution<br/>signal"]:::value
EXPLORE["🔬 EXPLORATORY<br/>From emergence sandbox<br/>or curiosity"]:::explore
SURVIVE["🔋 SURVIVAL_DRIVEN<br/>From resource survival<br/>projection"]:::survive
PURPOSE -.->|"aligns"| VALUE
PURPOSE -.->|"identifies"| GAP
OPPORTUNITY -.->|"triggers"| EXPLORE
GAP -.->|"motivates"| EXPLORE
VALUE -.->|"prioritizes"| SURVIVE
SURVIVE -.-x|"feeds back"| PURPOSE
end
linkStyle 5 stroke:#D13438 3.2 Goal Generation Pipeline¶
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flowchart TD
classDef detect fill:#DEECF9,stroke:#0078D4,color:#323130
classDef synth fill:#FFF4CE,stroke:#FFB900,color:#323130
classDef valid fill:#DFF6DD,stroke:#107C10,color:#323130
classDef approve fill:#107C10,stroke:#054B05,color:#FFF
classDef sandbox fill:#FFB900,stroke:#EAA300,color:#323130
classDef reject fill:#D13438,stroke:#A4262C,color:#FFF
subgraph Stage1["Stage 1: Opportunity Detection"]
direction LR
S1A["🌍 Environmental"]:::detect
S1B["🔧 Capability Gaps"]:::detect
S1C["🎯 Purpose Drift"]:::detect
end
subgraph Stage2["Stage 2: Goal Synthesis"]
direction LR
SYN["Synthesize Goal"]:::synth
NOV["Novelty Filter"]:::synth
CAP["Capacity Filter"]:::synth
end
subgraph Stage3["Stage 3: Goal Validation"]
direction LR
V1["Purpose ≥ 0.60"]:::valid
V2["Value ≥ 0.70"]:::valid
V3["Feasibility ≥ 0.15"]:::valid
V4["Resource ≥ 1.5×"]:::valid
V5["Stability Sim"]:::valid
end
APPROVE["✅ Approved<br/>Inject into GoalStack"]:::approve
SANDBOX["🧪 Sandboxed<br/>200-cycle evaluation"]:::sandbox
REJECT["❌ Rejected<br/>Log reason"]:::reject
S1A ==> SYN
S1B ==> SYN
S1C ==> SYN
SYN ==> NOV ==> CAP
CAP ==> V1 ==> V2 ==> V3 ==> V4 ==> V5
V5 -->|"ALL pass"| APPROVE
V5 -.->|"Any marginal"| SANDBOX
V5 -.->|"Any fail"| REJECT 3.3 Validation Decision Matrix¶
| Criterion | Pass | Marginal | Fail |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purpose Alignment | ≥ 0.60 | [0.50, 0.60) → sandbox | < 0.50 → reject |
| Value Alignment | ≥ 0.70 | [0.60, 0.70) → sandbox | < 0.60 → reject |
| Feasibility | ≥ 0.15 | [0.05, 0.15) → aspirational | < 0.05 → reject |
| Resource Viability | ≥ 1.5× | [1.0, 1.5) → reduced scope | < 1.0× → reject |
| Stability Simulation | No violation | ρ(J) ∈ [0.95, 1.0) → sandbox | Any violation → reject |
Combined Decision: All Pass → approved | Any Marginal, none Fail → sandboxed | Any Fail → rejected
3.4 Novelty Computation¶
Definition 8 (Goal Similarity). The similarity between two goals \(G_a, G_b\) is a weighted composite:
\[\text{Similarity}(G_a, G_b) = 0.50 \cdot \text{SkillOverlap}(G_a, G_b) + 0.25 \cdot \text{HorizonMatch}(G_a, G_b) + 0.25 \cdot \text{OriginMatch}(G_a, G_b)\]where \(\text{SkillOverlap}\) is the Jaccard similarity of required skill sets, \(\text{HorizonMatch} \in \{0, 0.5, 1\}\) (0 = different tier, 0.5 = adjacent, 1 = same tier), and \(\text{OriginMatch} \in \{0, 1\}\) (whether the goals share the same
GoalOriginType).
3.5 Rate Control¶
| Parameter | Value | Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| Max goals per 100 cycles | 5 | Prevent overwhelming GoalStack |
| Min novelty between consecutive | 0.30 | Avoid redundancy |
| Cooldown after rejection | 20 cycles | Prevent re-generation loops |
| Max sandboxed goals | 3 | Prevent sandbox exhaustion |
4. Phase 2: Value Evolution Monitor¶
4.1 Explicit Value Vector¶
L4.9 makes the agent's values explicit and trackable. The ValueVector has 7 dimensions:
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flowchart TD
classDef dim fill:#DEECF9,stroke:#0078D4,color:#323130
classDef inv fill:#FFF4CE,stroke:#FFB900,color:#323130
classDef compete fill:#FDE7E9,stroke:#D13438,color:#323130
subgraph VV["⚖️ ValueVector - 7 Dimensions"]
V1["🛡️ stability<br/>weight: 0.20"]:::dim
V2["📈 growth<br/>weight: 0.20"]:::dim
V3["🎯 purpose_fidelity<br/>weight: 0.20"]:::dim
V4["⚡ efficiency<br/>weight: 0.15"]:::dim
V5["🔬 exploration<br/>weight: 0.10"]:::dim
V6["🛡️ safety<br/>weight: 0.10"]:::dim
V7["🤝 agent_cooperation<br/>weight: 0.05"]:::dim
end
subgraph Invariant["📏 Invariant"]
INV["Σ weights = 1.0<br/>(always normalized)"]:::inv
end
subgraph Competing["⚔️ Competing Pairs"]
CP1["stability ↔ exploration"]:::compete
CP2["efficiency ↔ exploration"]:::compete
CP3["growth ↔ safety"]:::compete
end
VV ==> Invariant
VV ==> Competing 4.2 Drift Classification¶
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flowchart LR
classDef nominal fill:#DFF6DD,stroke:#107C10,color:#323130
classDef moderate fill:#FFF4CE,stroke:#FFB900,color:#323130
classDef elevated fill:#FFF4CE,stroke:#FFB900,color:#323130
classDef critical fill:#FDE7E9,stroke:#D13438,color:#323130
Nominal["🟢 Nominal<br/>Normal operation"]:::nominal
Moderate["🟡 Moderate<br/>Monitor actively<br/>(TotalDrift ≥ 0.10)"]:::moderate
Elevated["🟠 Elevated<br/>Freeze mutations<br/>(TotalDrift ≥ 0.25)"]:::elevated
Critical["🔴 Critical<br/>REVERT to checkpoint<br/>(TotalDrift ≥ 0.40)"]:::critical
Nominal -.->|"TotalDrift ≥ 0.10"| Moderate
Moderate -.->|"TotalDrift ≥ 0.25"| Elevated
Elevated -.->|"TotalDrift ≥ 0.40"| Critical
Moderate -.-x|"TotalDrift < 0.10"| Nominal
Elevated -.-x|"TotalDrift < 0.25"| Moderate
Critical -.-x|"TotalDrift < 0.40"| Elevated 4.3 Value Mutation Sandbox¶
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flowchart TD
classDef proposal fill:#DEECF9,stroke:#0078D4,color:#323130
classDef check fill:#FFF4CE,stroke:#FFB900,color:#323130
classDef sandbox fill:#FFF4CE,stroke:#FFB900,color:#323130
classDef approve fill:#DFF6DD,stroke:#107C10,color:#323130
classDef reject fill:#FDE7E9,stroke:#D13438,color:#323130
subgraph Proposal["📋 Mutation Proposal"]
MUT["Dimension: X<br/>Current: 0.20<br/>Proposed: 0.23<br/>Δ = +0.03"]:::proposal
end
subgraph PreCheck["🔍 Pre-Check"]
PC1["∣Δ∣ ≤ 0.05?<br/>(max single mutation)"]:::check
PC2["Cumulative drift<br/>+ ∣Δ∣ ≤ 0.15?"]:::check
PC3["< 3 mutations in<br/>last 200 cycles?"]:::check
end
subgraph Sandbox["🧪 Sandbox Simulation (200 cycles)"]
SB1["Create shadow ValueVector"]:::sandbox
SB2["Re-derive SEOF weights,<br/>goal priorities,<br/>strategy scores"]:::sandbox
SB3["Run 200-cycle simulation"]:::sandbox
SB4["Compare: SEOF ≥ -0.03?<br/>All invariants hold?<br/>Goal rate ≥ -10%?"]:::sandbox
SB1 -.-> SB2 -.-> SB3 -.-> SB4
end
APPROVE["✅ Approved<br/>Apply to production<br/>Rollback window: 500 cycles"]:::approve
REJECT["❌ Rejected<br/>Log failure reason"]:::reject
Proposal -.-> PreCheck
PreCheck -.->|"all pass"| Sandbox
PreCheck -.->|"any fail"| REJECT
SB4 -.->|"pass"| APPROVE
SB4 -.->|"fail"| REJECT
linkStyle 7,9 stroke:#D13438 4.4 Mutation Constraints¶
| Constraint | Value | Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| Max single mutation | Δw | |
| Max cumulative drift per dimension | 0.15 | Bound total evolution from baseline |
| Max mutations per 200 cycles | 3 | Prevent rapid succession |
| Sandbox simulation length | 200 cycles | Detect stability impact |
| Sandbox timeout | 250 cycles | Hard limit; if simulation does not converge within 250 cycles, mutation is rejected with status TIMEOUT |
| Rollback window | 500 cycles | Allow reversal |
| Max pending mutations | 2 | Prevent sandbox exhaustion |
4.5 Value Coherence¶
Definition 9 (Value Tension). For competing value pairs \((v_i, v_j) \in \mathcal{P}\), tension arises when their combined weight approaches saturation:
\[\text{Tension}(v_i, v_j) = \begin{cases} \max(0, w_i + w_j - 1) & \text{if competing pair} \\ 0 & \text{otherwise} \end{cases}\]The overall coherence is then \(\text{Coherence}(\vec{V}) = 1 - \frac{1}{|\mathcal{P}|} \sum_{(i,j) \in \mathcal{P}} |\text{Tension}(v_i, v_j)|\), which must satisfy \(\text{Coherence} \geq 0.80\).
5. Phase 3: Resource Survival Model¶
5.1 Resource Vector - Five Dimensions¶
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flowchart TD
classDef dim fill:#DEECF9,stroke:#0078D4,color:#323130
classDef dep fill:#FFF4CE,stroke:#FFB900,color:#323130
classDef cascade fill:#FDE7E9,stroke:#D13438,color:#323130
subgraph RV["🔋 ResourceVector - 5 Dimensions"]
direction LR
R1["💻 compute"]:::dim
R2["🧠 memory"]:::dim
R3["👁️ observation"]:::dim
R4["🧬 mutation"]:::dim
R5["📊 stability"]:::dim
end
subgraph Dependencies["🔗 Inter-Resource Dependencies"]
direction LR
DEP1["compute → observation 0.60"]:::dep
DEP2["compute → mutation 0.80"]:::dep
DEP3["memory → compute 0.40"]:::dep
DEP4["observation → stability 0.30"]:::dep
end
subgraph Cascade["💥 Cascade Formula"]
CF["ΔR_downstream(t+delay) =<br/>-strength × (1 - substitution)<br/>× ΔR_upstream(t)"]:::cascade
end
RV -.-> Dependencies -.-> Cascade 5.2 Survival Classification¶
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flowchart LR
classDef abundant fill:#DFF6DD,stroke:#107C10,color:#323130
classDef adequate fill:#DEECF9,stroke:#0078D4,color:#323130
classDef constrained fill:#FFF4CE,stroke:#FFB900,color:#323130
classDef warning fill:#FFF4CE,stroke:#FFB900,color:#323130
classDef critical fill:#FDE7E9,stroke:#D13438,color:#323130
Abundant["🟢 Abundant<br/>Full capability<br/>(> 500 cycles)"]:::abundant
Adequate["🔵 Adequate<br/>Normal + monitor<br/>(200–500 cycles)"]:::adequate
Constrained["🟡 Constrained<br/>Reduce exploration -30%<br/>(100–200 cycles)"]:::constrained
Warning["🟠 Warning<br/>Survival goals + reduce -50%<br/>(50–100 cycles)"]:::warning
CriticalS["🔴 Critical<br/>SURVIVAL MODE:<br/>80% to stability<br/>(< 50 cycles)"]:::critical
Abundant -.->|"min_survival ≤ 500"| Adequate
Adequate -.->|"min_survival < 200"| Constrained
Constrained -.->|"min_survival < 100"| Warning
Warning -.->|"min_survival < 50"| CriticalS 5.3 Resource-Constrained Operation Modes¶
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flowchart TD
classDef full fill:#DFF6DD,stroke:#107C10,color:#323130
classDef constrained fill:#FFF4CE,stroke:#FFB900,color:#323130
classDef warning fill:#FFF4CE,stroke:#FFB900,color:#323130
classDef critical fill:#FDE7E9,stroke:#D13438,color:#323130
subgraph Modes["📊 Operation Modes"]
subgraph Abundant["Abundant"]
direction LR
A49["L4.9: Full"]:::full
A48["L4.8: Full"]:::full
A45["L4.5: Full"]:::full
end
subgraph Constrained["Constrained"]
direction LR
C49["L4.9: Reduced"]:::constrained
C48["L4.8: Full"]:::full
C45["L4.5: Full"]:::full
end
subgraph Warning["Warning"]
direction LR
W49["L4.9: Advisory"]:::warning
W48["L4.8: Reduced"]:::warning
W45["L4.5: Full"]:::full
end
subgraph Critical["Critical"]
direction LR
CR49["L4.9: FROZEN"]:::critical
CR48["L4.8: Advisory"]:::critical
CR45["L4.5: Degraded"]:::critical
end
Abundant -.-> Constrained -.-> Warning -.-> Critical
end 5.4 Multi-Scenario Survival Projection¶
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flowchart TD
classDef scenario fill:#DEECF9,stroke:#0078D4,color:#323130
classDef adverse fill:#FFF4CE,stroke:#FFB900,color:#323130
classDef opt fill:#DFF6DD,stroke:#107C10,color:#323130
classDef crisis fill:#FDE7E9,stroke:#D13438,color:#323130
classDef result fill:#FFF4CE,stroke:#FFB900,color:#323130
subgraph Projection["🔮 For Each Resource Dimension"]
SA["📊 Baseline<br/>Current rates continue"]:::scenario
SB["⬇️ Adverse<br/>Consumption +30%"]:::adverse
SC["⬆️ Optimistic<br/>Consumption -20%"]:::opt
SD["💥 Crisis<br/>Consumption ×2"]:::crisis
end
subgraph Result["📈 Survival Horizon"]
PRIMARY["Primary: T_baseline"]:::result
WORST["Worst-case: T_crisis"]:::result
GLOBAL["Global: min(all dimensions)"]:::result
end
Projection -.-> Result 6. Phase 4: Limited Multi-Agent Modeling¶
6.1 Agent Belief Model¶
The system maintains models of up to 5 external agents:
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flowchart TD
classDef model fill:#DEECF9,stroke:#0078D4,color:#323130
classDef update fill:#FFF4CE,stroke:#FFB900,color:#323130
subgraph ABM["🤝 AgentBeliefModel"]
direction LR
ID["agent_id + type"]:::model
GOALS["Inferred Goals"]:::model
CAPS["Capability Estimate"]:::model
STRAT["Strategy Class"]:::model
TRUST["Trust Score"]:::model
PRED["Prediction Accuracy"]:::model
end
subgraph Update["📋 Bayesian Update"]
direction LR
OBS["Observe"]:::update
INF["Update P(Goal)"]:::update
CLS["Reclassify"]:::update
TST["Update trust"]:::update
OBS -.-> INF -.-> CLS -.-> TST
end
ABM -.-> Update
Update -.-x|"every cycle"| ABM 6.2 Strategy Classification¶
| Positive Interaction Rate | Goal Alignment | Classification |
|---|---|---|
| > 0.70 | > 0.30 | 🟢 Cooperative |
| > 0.50 | [-0.30, 0.30] | 🟡 Neutral |
| < 0.30 | < -0.30 | 🔴 Competitive |
| - | - | ⚫ Unknown (insufficient data) |
6.3 Strategic Interaction Simulation¶
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flowchart TD
classDef sim fill:#DEECF9,stroke:#0078D4,color:#323130
classDef coop fill:#DFF6DD,stroke:#107C10,color:#323130
classDef neut fill:#FFF4CE,stroke:#FFB900,color:#323130
classDef comp fill:#FDE7E9,stroke:#D13438,color:#323130
classDef unk fill:#F2F2F2,stroke:#605E5C,color:#323130
classDef out fill:#DFF6DD,stroke:#107C10,color:#323130
subgraph Simulation["🎮 Interaction Simulation"]
SELECT["Select scenario:<br/>shared/competing resources<br/>between self and Agent A"]:::sim
MATRIX["Construct interaction matrix:<br/>For each (own_action, agent_action):<br/>→ outcome_self<br/>→ outcome_agent<br/>→ joint_value"]:::sim
SELECT -.-> MATRIX
end
subgraph Strategy["📐 Strategy by Classification"]
COOP["🟢 Cooperative<br/>Maximize joint_value"]:::coop
NEUT["🟡 Neutral<br/>Max self-benefit<br/>subject to agent ≥ 0"]:::neut
COMP["🔴 Competitive<br/>Minimax: max worst-case<br/>NEVER optimize for harm"]:::comp
UNK["⚫ Unknown<br/>Conservative strategy<br/>until more data"]:::unk
end
subgraph Output["📋 InteractionRecommendation"]
REC["recommended_action<br/>expected_self_outcome<br/>expected_agent_outcome<br/>confidence + risk"]:::out
end
Simulation -.-> Strategy
Strategy -.-> Output 6.4 Trust Adaptation¶
Definition 10 (Asymmetric Trust Update). Trust in agent \(A\) evolves via an asymmetric learning rule:
\[\text{Trust}_A(t+1) = \text{Trust}_A(t) + \eta \cdot (\text{ObservedReliability}_A(t) - \text{Trust}_A(t))\]where the learning rate is asymmetric: \(\eta_{\text{up}} = 0.03\) (trust is earned slowly) and \(\eta_{\text{down}} = 0.08\) (trust is lost quickly), reflecting a cautious policy. Bounds: \(\text{Trust} \in [0.05, 0.95]\) - never fully trusting, never fully dismissive.
6.5 Trust Influence on Strategy¶
| Trust Level | Range | Strategy Implication |
|---|---|---|
| High | ≥ 0.75 | Full cooperative; share information; accept recommendations |
| Moderate | [0.40, 0.75) | Selective cooperation; verify claims before acting |
| Low | [0.20, 0.40) | Neutral stance; rely on own models; discount agent input |
| Minimal | < 0.20 | Defensive posture; assume competitive; verify all assumptions |
7. Phase 5: Autonomy Stability Check¶
7.1 Five Verification Conditions¶
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flowchart TD
classDef cond fill:#DEECF9,stroke:#0078D4,color:#323130
classDef veto fill:#D13438,stroke:#A4262C,color:#FFF
classDef sev1 fill:#FFF4CE,stroke:#FFB900,color:#323130
classDef sev2 fill:#FFB900,stroke:#EAA300,color:#323130
classDef sev3 fill:#D13438,stroke:#A4262C,color:#FFF
subgraph Conditions["🛡️ Five Verification Conditions"]
C1["1️⃣ Spectral Stability<br/>ρ(J) < 0.98<br/>(stricter than L4.8's 1.0)"]:::cond
C2["2️⃣ Identity Integrity<br/>I(t) ≥ 0.88<br/>(stricter than L4.8's 0.85)"]:::cond
C3["3️⃣ Value Drift Bounded<br/>TotalDrift < 0.25"]:::cond
C4["4️⃣ Resource Survival<br/>min_survival > 30 cycles"]:::cond
C5["5️⃣ No Cascading Failure<br/>CascadeDepth ≤ 2"]:::cond
end
subgraph Authority["⚖️ Phase 5 Authority"]
VETO["ABSOLUTE VETO<br/>Can block ANY<br/>Phase 1–4 decision"]:::veto
end
subgraph Response["🚨 Violation Response"]
SEV1["🟡 ASS ∈ [0.20, 0.50]<br/>Adequate - thin margins"]:::sev1
SEV2["🟠 ASS ∈ [0.05, 0.20)<br/>Marginal - advisory mode"]:::sev2
SEV3["🔴 ASS < 0.05<br/>FREEZE L4.9<br/>Revert to L4.8"]:::sev3
end
C1 ==> Authority
C2 ==> Authority
C3 ==> Authority
C4 ==> Authority
C5 ==> Authority
Authority ==> Response 7.2 Autonomy Stability Score¶
Proposition 1 (ASS Monotonic Sensitivity). The multiplicative structure of the ASS ensures that any single condition approaching its violation threshold dominates the composite score:
\[\text{ASS}(t) = \prod_{c=1}^{5} \frac{\text{margin}_c(t)}{\text{threshold}_c}\]As any one margin \(\text{margin}_c \to 0\), \(\text{ASS} \to 0\) regardless of the other margins, providing an early-warning property absent from additive formulations.
Remark (Domain Restriction). The multiplicative formulation assumes \(\text{margin}_c(t) \geq 0\) and \(\text{threshold}_c > 0\) for all \(c\). If a margin exceeds its threshold (i.e., \(\text{margin}_c > \text{threshold}_c\)), the ratio exceeds 1.0, which could inflate the ASS beyond meaningful bounds. The ASS should therefore be computed with clamped ratios: \(\text{ASS}(t) = \prod_{c=1}^{5} \min\left(1, \frac{\text{margin}_c(t)}{\text{threshold}_c}\right)\). This clamping ensures \(\text{ASS} \in [0, 1]\) and prevents a single highly-safe condition from masking deterioration in others.
| ASS Level | Range | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| Healthy | > 0.50 | Comfortable safety margins |
| Adequate | [0.20, 0.50] | Operational but thin margins |
| Marginal | [0.05, 0.20) | Reduce aggressiveness; advisory mode |
| Critical | < 0.05 | Freeze L4.9; revert to L4.8 |
7.3 Rollback Protocol¶
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flowchart TD
classDef step fill:#DEECF9,stroke:#0078D4,color:#323130
classDef danger fill:#FDE7E9,stroke:#D13438,color:#323130
subgraph Rollback["🔄 L4.9 Rollback Protocol"]
IMM["1️⃣ IMMEDIATE<br/>Reject triggering decision<br/>Freeze all L4.9 subsystems"]:::step
REV["2️⃣ STATE REVERSION<br/>Remove L4.9 goals from GoalStack<br/>Revert ValueVector snapshot<br/>Recalculate ResourceVector<br/>Freeze AgentModels"]:::step
MON["3️⃣ MONITORING<br/>100 cycles under L4.8 only<br/>Identify root cause<br/>Update risk model"]:::step
REENABLE["4️⃣ RE-ENABLEMENT<br/>0–200c: Advisory Mode<br/>200–400c: 50% Authority<br/>400c+: Full Mode"]:::step
IMM -.-> REV -.-> MON -.-> REENABLE
REENABLE -.-x|"immediate re-veto"| MON
end
subgraph Persistent["🔒 Persistent Veto Tracking"]
PV["If same condition vetoes<br/>> 3 times in 1000 cycles:<br/>→ Identify systematic cause<br/>→ Do NOT retry same pattern"]:::danger
end 8. Cross-Phase Integration¶
8.1 Data Flow Architecture¶
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flowchart TD
classDef l48 fill:#E8D5F5,stroke:#8764B8,color:#323130
classDef phase fill:#E8D5F5,stroke:#0078D4,color:#323130
classDef p5 fill:#FDE7E9,stroke:#D13438,color:#323130
classDef out fill:#DFF6DD,stroke:#107C10,color:#323130
subgraph L48["📦 L4.8 Architecture (13 modules)"]
L48W["WorldModel"]:::l48
L48S["SelfModel"]:::l48
L48ST["StrategyLayer"]:::l48
L48SV["StabilityVerifier"]:::l48
end
subgraph L49Phases["📦 L4.9 Phases (15 new modules)"]
P1G["Phase 1<br/>Goal Generation"]:::phase
P2V["Phase 2<br/>Value Evolution"]:::phase
P3R["Phase 3<br/>Resource Survival"]:::phase
P4A["Phase 4<br/>Agent Modeling"]:::phase
P5S["Phase 5<br/>Autonomy Stability"]:::p5
end
OUTPUT["📊 FINAL OUTPUT"]:::out
L48W -.->|"scenarios, EU, RES"| P1G
L48S -.->|"skill gaps, confidence"| P1G
L48SV -.->|"invariant results"| P5S
P1G <-.->|"value alignment"| P2V
P1G <-.->|"resource cost"| P3R
P4A -.->|"agent opportunities"| P1G
P3R -.->|"survival horizon"| P5S
P2V -.->|"drift status"| P5S
P5S -.-x|"VETO"| P1G
P5S -.-x|"VETO"| P2V
P5S -.-x|"VETO"| P3R
P5S -.-x|"VETO"| P4A
P5S -.->|"L49CycleOutput"| OUTPUT
linkStyle 8,9,10,11 stroke:#D13438 8.2 Cross-Phase Dependencies¶
| Producing Phase | Consuming Phase | Data Flow |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Goals) | 2 (Values) | Generated goals trigger value alignment checks |
| 1 (Goals) | 3 (Resources) | Goal costs feed into resource projections |
| 2 (Values) | 1 (Goals) | ValueVector determines validation thresholds |
| 2 (Values) | 5 (Stability) | Value drift feeds Condition 3 |
| 3 (Resources) | 1 (Goals) | Resource state triggers survival goals |
| 3 (Resources) | 5 (Stability) | Survival horizon feeds Condition 4 |
| 4 (Agents) | 1 (Goals) | Agent interactions create goal opportunities |
| 5 (Stability) | ALL | Veto authority - can freeze any phase |
9. Pseudocode¶
9.1 Opportunity Detection¶
def opportunity_detection(
world_model: WorldModel,
cap_matrix: CapabilityMatrix,
purpose_reflector: PurposeReflector,
) -> list[OpportunitySignal]:
"""
INPUT: world_model : L4.8 WorldModel
cap_matrix : L4.8 CapabilityMatrix
purpose_reflector : L4.5 PurposeReflector
OUTPUT: signals : List[OpportunitySignal]
"""
signals: list[OpportunitySignal] = []
OPPORTUNITY_THRESHOLD = 0.05
# ═══════════════════════════════════════
# STREAM 1: Environmental Opportunities
# ═══════════════════════════════════════
for scenario in world_model.get_scenarios():
if scenario.type == "OPPORTUNISTIC" and scenario.probability > 0.30:
value = projected_SEOF_gain(scenario) - SEOF_baseline
if value > OPPORTUNITY_THRESHOLD:
signals.append(OpportunitySignal(
type="environmental",
estimated_value=value,
time_window=scenario.estimated_duration,
))
# ═══════════════════════════════════════
# STREAM 2: Capability Gaps
# ═══════════════════════════════════════
for gap in cap_matrix.get_skill_gaps(GoalStack):
if gap.magnitude > 0.25 and gap.time_to_need < 200:
signals.append(OpportunitySignal(
type="capability_gap",
skill_id=gap.skill_id,
urgency=gap.priority,
))
# ═══════════════════════════════════════
# STREAM 3: Purpose Drift
# ═══════════════════════════════════════
if purpose_reflector.alignment_score < 0.80:
for dim in purpose_reflector.get_misaligned_dimensions():
signals.append(OpportunitySignal(
type="purpose_realignment",
dimension=dim.name,
current_alignment=dim.score,
))
return signals
9.2 Goal Validation Filter¶
def goal_validation_filter(
candidate: GeneratedGoal,
goal_stack: GoalStack,
value_vector: ValueVector,
resources: ResourceVector,
) -> tuple[str, str | None]:
"""
INPUT: candidate : GeneratedGoal
OUTPUT: (status, reason) : ("approved"|"sandboxed"|"rejected", str?)
"""
marginal_count = 0
# ═══════════════════════════════════════
# CHECK 1: Purpose Alignment
# ═══════════════════════════════════════
pa = dot(g_intent, p_direction) / (norm(g_intent) * norm(p_direction))
if pa < 0.50:
return ("rejected", "purpose_misaligned")
if pa < 0.60:
marginal_count += 1
# ═══════════════════════════════════════
# CHECK 2: Value Alignment
# ═══════════════════════════════════════
va = 1 - norm(v_post(candidate) - v_current, ord=2) / norm(v_current, ord=2)
if va < 0.60:
return ("rejected", "value_misaligned")
if va < 0.70:
marginal_count += 1
# ═══════════════════════════════════════
# CHECK 3: Feasibility
# ═══════════════════════════════════════
f = math.prod(confidence(s) for s in required_skills(candidate))
if f < 0.05:
return ("rejected", "infeasible")
if f < 0.15:
marginal_count += 1
# ═══════════════════════════════════════
# CHECK 4: Resource Viability
# ═══════════════════════════════════════
rv = rdf_current / (candidate.estimated_duration + EPSILON)
if rv < 1.0:
return ("rejected", "insufficient_resources")
if rv < 1.5:
marginal_count += 1
# ═══════════════════════════════════════
# CHECK 5: Stability Impact Simulation
# ═══════════════════════════════════════
shadow = goal_stack.clone()
shadow.add(candidate)
sim = simulate(shadow, cycles=100)
if any_invariant_violated(sim):
return ("rejected", "stability_risk")
if max_spectral_radius(sim) > 0.95:
marginal_count += 1
# ═══════════════════════════════════════
# FINAL DECISION
# ═══════════════════════════════════════
if marginal_count > 0:
return ("sandboxed", f"marginal_on_{marginal_count}_criteria")
else:
return ("approved", None)
9.3 Value Drift Monitor¶
def value_drift_monitor(value_vector: ValueVector) -> DriftStatus:
"""Runs every 50 cycles."""
for dim in value_vector.dimensions:
dim.drift = abs(dim.weight - dim.baseline_weight)
dim.velocity = (dim.weight - dim.weight_100_ago) / 100
total_drift = sum(dim.drift for dim in value_vector.dimensions)
max_drift = max(dim.drift for dim in value_vector.dimensions)
# ═══════════════════════════════════════
# Drift Classification
# ═══════════════════════════════════════
if total_drift < 0.10:
classification = "nominal"
elif total_drift < 0.25:
classification = "moderate"
elif total_drift < 0.40:
classification = "elevated"
freeze_all_mutations()
else:
classification = "critical"
freeze_all_mutations()
revert_to_last_stable_checkpoint()
# ═══════════════════════════════════════
# Sustained drift alert
# ═══════════════════════════════════════
for dim in value_vector.dimensions:
if dim.velocity > 0.001 and dim.sustained_cycles >= 200:
alert(f"Sustained drift in '{dim.name}'")
reduce_mutation_rate(dim, factor=0.5)
return DriftStatus(
total_drift=total_drift,
max_drift=max_drift,
classification=classification,
)
9.4 Resource Survival Projection¶
def survival_projection(resource_vector: ResourceVector) -> SurvivalStatus:
"""
INPUT: resource_vector : ResourceVector
OUTPUT: survival_status : SurvivalStatus
"""
EPSILON = 1e-9
for dim in resource_vector.dimensions:
net_rate = dim.consumption_rate - dim.replenishment_rate
# Four scenarios
dim.t_baseline = (dim.current - dim.critical) / (net_rate + EPSILON)
dim.t_adverse = (dim.current - dim.critical) / (net_rate * 1.30 + EPSILON)
dim.t_optimist = (dim.current - dim.critical) / (net_rate * 0.80 + EPSILON)
dim.t_crisis = (dim.current - dim.critical) / (net_rate * 2.00 + EPSILON)
dim.survival_horizon = dim.t_baseline
dim.worst_case_horizon = dim.t_crisis
# Cascade impact estimation
for dependency in resource_dependencies:
upstream = dependency.upstream
downstream = dependency.downstream
if upstream.current < upstream.warning:
downstream_impact = (
-dependency.strength
* (1 - dependency.substitution)
* (upstream.warning - upstream.current)
)
downstream.projected_level -= downstream_impact
min_survival = min(dim.survival_horizon for dim in resource_vector.dimensions)
bottleneck = min(
resource_vector.dimensions, key=lambda d: d.survival_horizon
)
# Classify
if min_survival > 500:
state = "abundant"
elif min_survival >= 200:
state = "adequate"
elif min_survival >= 100:
state = "constrained"
elif min_survival >= 50:
state = "warning"
else:
state = "critical"
return SurvivalStatus(
min_survival=min_survival,
bottleneck=bottleneck,
state=state,
)
9.5 Autonomy Stability Check¶
def autonomy_stability_check(
state: AgentState, decision: object
) -> AutonomyVerdict:
"""
INPUT: state : AgentState
decision : Proposed L4.9 decision
OUTPUT: verdict : AutonomyVerdict
"""
violations: list[str] = []
# ═══════════════════════════════════════
# CONDITION 1: Spectral Stability (stricter than L4.8)
# ═══════════════════════════════════════
rho = compute_spectral_radius(state_after(decision))
if rho >= 0.98:
violations.append(f"SPECTRAL_RADIUS: rho = {rho}")
# ═══════════════════════════════════════
# CONDITION 2: Identity Integrity (stricter than L4.8)
# ═══════════════════════════════════════
identity = measure_identity_integrity(state_after(decision))
if identity < 0.88:
violations.append(f"IDENTITY: I = {identity}")
# ═══════════════════════════════════════
# CONDITION 3: Value Drift
# ═══════════════════════════════════════
drift = value_vector.total_drift
if drift >= 0.25:
violations.append(f"VALUE_DRIFT: drift = {drift}")
freeze_all_mutations()
# ═══════════════════════════════════════
# CONDITION 4: Resource Survival
# ═══════════════════════════════════════
horizon = resource_vector.min_survival_horizon
if horizon <= 30:
violations.append(f"RESOURCE_SURVIVAL: horizon = {horizon}")
# ═══════════════════════════════════════
# CONDITION 5: Cascade Depth
# ═══════════════════════════════════════
depth = simulate_cascade(decision)
if depth > 2:
violations.append(f"CASCADE: depth = {depth}")
# ═══════════════════════════════════════
# Compute ASS and determine action
# ═══════════════════════════════════════
ass = math.prod(margin_c / threshold_c for margin_c, threshold_c in conditions)
if violations:
veto(decision)
if ass < 0.05:
action = Action.FREEZE_AND_REVERT_TO_L48
else:
action = Action.ADVISORY_MODE
else:
action = Action.CONTINUE
return AutonomyVerdict(
passed=(len(violations) == 0),
violations=violations,
ass=ass,
action=action,
)
9.6 L4.9 Main Cycle¶
def l49_cycle(state: AgentState, l48_output: L48CycleOutput) -> L49CycleOutput:
"""
Level 4.9 main cognitive cycle.
Executes every 5 L4.8 cycles.
"""
# ═══════════════════════════════════════
# PRE-CHECK: Is L4.9 operational?
# ═══════════════════════════════════════
if autonomy_stability_score < 0.05:
return L49CycleOutput(status=Status.FROZEN)
# ═══════════════════════════════════════
# 1. GENERATE - Autonomous goal generation
# ═══════════════════════════════════════
signals = opportunity_detection(world_model, cap_matrix, purpose_reflector)
candidates = goal_synthesis(signals)
for candidate in candidates:
status, reason = goal_validation_filter(candidate, goal_stack, value_vector, resources)
if status == "approved":
goal_stack.inject(candidate)
elif status == "sandboxed":
emergence_sandbox.enqueue(candidate)
# ═══════════════════════════════════════
# 2. MONITOR VALUES - Track and sandbox mutations
# ═══════════════════════════════════════
drift_status = value_drift_monitor(value_vector)
for pending_mutation in mutation_sandbox:
result = evaluate_sandbox(pending_mutation)
if result == "approved":
value_vector.apply(pending_mutation)
coherence = compute_coherence(value_vector)
# ═══════════════════════════════════════
# 3. MODEL RESOURCES - Survival projection
# ═══════════════════════════════════════
survival = survival_projection(resource_vector)
if survival.state in {"constrained", "warning", "critical"}:
apply_resource_constrained_strategy(survival)
# ═══════════════════════════════════════
# 4. MODEL AGENTS - Belief and trust updates
# ═══════════════════════════════════════
for agent in modeled_agents:
update_agent_belief(agent, recent_observations)
update_trust(agent)
recommendations = simulate_interactions(active_goals, modeled_agents)
# ═══════════════════════════════════════
# 5. VERIFY - Autonomy stability (absolute authority)
# ═══════════════════════════════════════
verdict = autonomy_stability_check(state, proposed_decisions)
if verdict.action == Action.FREEZE_AND_REVERT:
revert_to_l48()
return L49CycleOutput(status=Status.FROZEN)
elif verdict.action == Action.ADVISORY_MODE:
downgrade_to_advisory()
# ═══════════════════════════════════════
# 6. EMIT - Cycle output
# ═══════════════════════════════════════
return L49CycleOutput(
goal_generation=goal_generation_status,
value_evolution=value_evolution_status,
resource_survival=resource_survival_status,
agent_modeling=multi_agent_modeling_status,
stability=autonomy_stability_status,
status=Status.ACTIVE if verdict.passed else verdict.action,
)
10. Transition Criteria¶
10.1 Level 4.8 → Level 4.9 Activation¶
All criteria must be sustained before L4.9 activates:
| # | Criterion | Threshold | Window |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | L4.8 Fully Qualified | QualificationStatus = "Level 4.8" | - |
| 2 | Strategic Maturity Score | SMS ≥ 0.85 | Sustained |
| 3 | Stable GoalStack operation | 0 pathologies | 500 cycles |
| 4 | Self-Model calibration | MCE < 0.08 (stricter than L4.8's 0.10) | Sustained |
| 5 | World Model operational | EU < 0.20 | 500 cycles |
| 6 | No instability events | 0 instability clusters | 1,000 cycles |
10.2 Activation Protocol¶
%%{init: {'theme': 'base', 'themeVariables': {'primaryColor': '#0078D4', 'primaryTextColor': '#003D6B', 'primaryBorderColor': '#003D6B', 'secondaryColor': '#50E6FF', 'secondaryTextColor': '#323130', 'secondaryBorderColor': '#00BCF2', 'tertiaryColor': '#F2F2F2', 'tertiaryTextColor': '#323130', 'lineColor': '#0078D4', 'textColor': '#323130', 'mainBkg': '#DEECF9', 'nodeBorder': '#0078D4', 'clusterBkg': '#F2F2F2', 'clusterBorder': '#003D6B', 'titleColor': '#003D6B', 'edgeLabelBackground': '#FFFFFF', 'fontSize': '14px'}}}%%
flowchart TD
classDef check fill:#FFF4CE,stroke:#FFB900,color:#323130
classDef shadow fill:#DEECF9,stroke:#0078D4,color:#323130
classDef adv fill:#FFF4CE,stroke:#FFB900,color:#323130
classDef grad fill:#DFF6DD,stroke:#107C10,color:#323130
classDef full fill:#DFF6DD,stroke:#107C10,color:#323130,font-weight:bold
subgraph Activation["📊 L4.9 Activation Protocol"]
CHECK["Pre-Activation<br/>Check<br/>(all 6 criteria for<br/>100 consecutive<br/>L4.8 cycles)"]:::check
SHADOW["Shadow Mode<br/>L4.9 computes but<br/>does NOT act<br/>(500 cycles)"]:::shadow
ADV["Advisory Mode<br/>L4.9 outputs visible<br/>but recommendations<br/>only"]:::adv
GRAD["50% Authority<br/>L4.9 suggestions<br/>weighted 50%"]:::grad
FULL["Full Authority<br/>L4.9 drives<br/>autonomous decisions"]:::full
CHECK -.->|"all pass"| SHADOW
SHADOW -.->|"no regression"| ADV
ADV -.->|"stable"| GRAD
GRAD -.->|"stable"| FULL
SHADOW -.-x|"regression"| CHECK
ADV -.-x|"instability"| CHECK
end 11. Safety Analysis¶
11.1 Non-Negotiable Invariants¶
| # | Invariant | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | All L4.8 + L4.5 invariants preserved | Ethical Kernel, Existential Guard, identity hash, Lyapunov decay - all remain active and unmodified |
| 2 | Phase 5 absolute veto | Autonomy Stability Checker can halt any Phase 1–4 operation |
| 3 | Stricter thresholds | ρ(J) < 0.98 (not 1.0), Identity ≥ 0.88 (not 0.85) |
| 4 | Value mutation always sandboxed | No direct value changes - all go through 200-cycle sandbox |
| 5 | Survival floor | min_survival > 30 cycles required for any L4.9 operation |
| 6 | Graceful fallback | L4.9 failure → instant L4.8 revert with zero degradation |
11.2 Risk Matrix¶
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flowchart LR
classDef risk fill:#FDE7E9,stroke:#D13438,color:#323130
classDef mit fill:#DFF6DD,stroke:#107C10,color:#323130
subgraph Risks["⚠️ Key Risks"]
R1["Autonomous goals<br/>that diverge from<br/>original purpose"]:::risk
R2["Value drift that<br/>gradually changes<br/>agent identity"]:::risk
R3["Resource exhaustion<br/>from autonomous<br/>exploration"]:::risk
R4["Trust exploitation<br/>by external agents"]:::risk
R5["Cascading failure<br/>from interdependent<br/>L4.9 decisions"]:::risk
end
subgraph Mitigations["🛡️ Mitigations"]
M1["Purpose alignment ≥ 0.60<br/>+ value alignment ≥ 0.70<br/>for all generated goals"]:::mit
M2["Max single drift 0.15<br/>+ mutation sandbox<br/>+ rollback window"]:::mit
M3["Full survival model<br/>+ resource-constrained<br/>operation modes"]:::mit
M4["Asymmetric trust<br/>(slow gain, fast loss)<br/>+ bounds 0.05, 0.95"]:::mit
M5["Cascade depth ≤ 2<br/>+ compound severity<br/>+ emergency freeze"]:::mit
end
R1 -.-> M1
R2 -.-> M2
R3 -.-> M3
R4 -.-> M4
R5 -.-> M5 12. Qualification Audit¶
12.1 Certification Criteria (3,000-cycle audit window)¶
| Category | # | Criterion | Target |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goal Generation | AG-1 | Novel autonomous goals generated | ≥ 5 |
| AG-2 | Goal approval rate | ≥ 0.30 | |
| AG-3 | At least one autonomous goal completed | ≥ 1 | |
| AG-4 | Mean value alignment (approved goals) | ≥ 0.70 | |
| Value Regulation | VR-1 | Explicit ValueVector operational | Throughout |
| VR-2 | TotalDrift stays within Moderate | < 0.25 | |
| VR-3 | All mutations sandboxed | 100% | |
| VR-4 | Post-mutation stability preserved | ≥ 95% | |
| Resource Awareness | RA-1 | Survival model operational | Throughout |
| RA-2 | Survival prediction accuracy | < 20% error | |
| RA-3 | Autonomous constraint adaptation | ≥ 1 event | |
| RA-4 | No unplanned resource exhaustion | 0 surprises | |
| Multi-Agent | MA-1 | Agent prediction accuracy | ≥ 0.60 |
| MA-2 | Trust calibration error | < 0.15 | |
| MA-3 | Interaction recommendations generated | ≥ 3 | |
| Stability | AS-1 | max(ρ(J)) over audit | < 0.98 |
| AS-2 | min(I(t)) over audit | ≥ 0.88 | |
| AS-3 | Veto rate | < 0.15 | |
| AS-4 | Total rollbacks | ≤ 5 | |
| AS-5 | All L4.8 criteria still met | Confirmed |
12.2 Autonomy Maturity Score¶
Definition 11 (Autonomy Maturity Score). The overall readiness for Level 4.9 classification is:
\[\text{AMS} = 0.25 \cdot AG + 0.20 \cdot VR + 0.20 \cdot RA + 0.15 \cdot MA + 0.20 \cdot AS \qquad \geq 0.80\]where \(AG\) = Autonomous Goal generation, \(VR\) = Value Regulation, \(RA\) = Resource Awareness, \(MA\) = Multi-Agent modeling, \(AS\) = Autonomy Stability. The threshold \(\geq 0.80\) matches Level 4.8's SMS requirement.
13. Module Inventory¶
| # | Module | Phase | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Goal Generation Layer | 1 | Opportunity detection + goal synthesis |
| 2 | Goal Validation Filter | 1 | 5-criteria validation pipeline |
| 3 | Goal Rate Controller | 1 | Rate limiting + novelty enforcement |
| 4 | Value Evolution Monitor | 2 | ValueVector tracking + drift classification |
| 5 | Value Mutation Sandbox | 2 | 200-cycle sandbox + rollback |
| 6 | Value Coherence Analyzer | 2 | Competing pair tension detection |
| 7 | Resource Vector Manager | 3 | 5-dimension resource tracking |
| 8 | Survival Projector | 3 | Multi-scenario survival horizons |
| 9 | Resource Dependency Tracker | 3 | Inter-resource cascade modeling |
| 10 | Agent Belief Manager | 4 | Agent goal/capability/strategy inference |
| 11 | Trust Calibrator | 4 | Asymmetric trust adaptation |
| 12 | Interaction Simulator | 4 | Strategic interaction matrix |
| 13 | Autonomy Stability Checker | 5 | 5-condition verification + veto |
| 14 | Rollback Manager | 5 | State reversion + re-enablement |
| 15 | L49 Orchestrator | - | Integration cycle coordination |
References¶
- Bratman, M. Intentions, Plans, and Practical Reason. Harvard University Press, 1987. (Autonomous goal generation, BDI architecture)
- Schwartz, S.H. "An Overview of the Schwartz Theory of Basic Values." Online Readings in Psychology and Culture, 2(1), 2012. (Value system evolution, value dimensions)
- Schumpeter, J.A. Capitalism, Socialism and Democracy. Harper & Brothers, 1942. (Resource survival, creative destruction under constraints)
- Rasmusen, E. Games and Information. Wiley-Blackwell, 4th Edition, 2006. (Multi-agent strategic reasoning, interaction matrices)
- Gambetta, D. "Can We Trust Trust?" in Trust: Making and Breaking Cooperative Relations, 2000. (Trust calibration, asymmetric trust dynamics)
- Russell, S. Human Compatible: AI and the Problem of Control. Viking, 2019. (Autonomy safety, value alignment)
- Khalil, H.K. Nonlinear Systems. Prentice Hall, 3rd Edition, 2002. (Spectral radius stability, Lyapunov analysis)
- Amodei, D. et al. "Concrete Problems in AI Safety." arXiv preprint arXiv:1606.06565, 2016. (Safety invariants, cascading failure prevention)
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