Judgment Authority Model

A simple judgment authority model has six stages:

1. Observe
2. Interpret
3. Judge
4. Decide
5. Act
6. Accept consequence

AI systems may assist observation, interpretation, and option generation. They can summarize evidence, identify patterns, simulate alternatives, and produce recommendations.

Authority over judgment and consequence remains with a human or institution unless it has been explicitly and legitimately assigned elsewhere.

Stage Distinctions

Observation gathers signals.

Interpretation gives meaning to signals.

Judgment evaluates what should matter.

Decision commits to a course of action.

Action changes the state of the world.

Accepting consequence completes the responsibility chain.

The legitimacy of a decision depends on this chain remaining visible.