Research
This section is for researchers, skeptics, and anyone who wants to understand why the framework works, not just how to apply it.
Who This Section Is For
Section titled “Who This Section Is For”- Researchers validating the framework’s foundations
- Skeptics wanting to see the theoretical backing
- Builders needing to extend the framework for novel situations
- Academics connecting this to existing literature
Not for you if: You just want to apply the framework. Start with Getting Started and Design Patterns instead.
Two Tracks
Section titled “Two Tracks”Theoretical Foundations
Section titled “Theoretical Foundations”Mathematical and economic models underlying the framework:
| Topic | Key Question |
|---|---|
| Trust Dynamics | How does trust evolve over time? |
| Trust Accounting | How do we track trust like finances? |
| Trust Economics | What are the incentives and markets? |
| Trust at Scale | How does trust compose in large systems? |
| Trust Optimization | How do we minimize risk? |
| Trust Interfaces | How do components exchange trust? |
| Trust Propagation | How does risk flow through networks? |
| Trust Protocols | What are the formal handshakes? |
| Human-AI Trust | How do humans and AI build trust? |
Reading order: Start with Trust Dynamics, then Trust Economics, then explore based on interest.
Background Research
Section titled “Background Research”Domain knowledge that informed the framework:
| Category | Topics |
|---|---|
| Domain Studies | Nuclear & Aerospace PRA, Financial Risk Budgeting |
| AI Safety | AI Safety Frameworks, Alignment Tax, Capability Elicitation, Empirical Scheming |
| Technical | Formal Verification Limits, Runtime Monitoring, Steganography Detection |
| Economic | Fidelity Insurance, Mechanism Design |
| Mathematical | Compositional Risk, Correlated Failures, Linear Logic |
| Meta | Potential Projects, Human Trust Calibration |
Connection to Main Framework
Section titled “Connection to Main Framework”The theoretical foundations connect to practical concepts:
| Theory Page | Informs | Practical Application |
|---|---|---|
| Trust Dynamics | How trust changes | Empirical Tests |
| Trust Propagation | Risk flow | Risk Inheritance Tool |
| Trust Economics | Incentive design | Insurer’s Dilemma |
| Fidelity Insurance | Pricing defection | Delegation Accounting |
Reading Suggestions
Section titled “Reading Suggestions”Validate the Framework
Section titled “Validate the Framework”If you’re skeptical and want to check the foundations:
- Trust Dynamics — Is the trust model sound?
- Trust Economics — Do the incentives work?
- Fidelity Insurance — Is there real-world precedent?
Extend the Framework
Section titled “Extend the Framework”If you’re building something the framework doesn’t cover:
- Trust Interfaces — How to define new boundaries
- Compositional Risk — How risk combines
- Potential Projects — Open research questions
Academic Context
Section titled “Academic Context”If you want to connect to existing literature:
- AI Safety Frameworks — Related approaches
- Nuclear & Aerospace PRA — Domain origins
- Formal Verification Limits — What formal methods can’t do
Next Steps
Section titled “Next Steps”- Apply these insights → Design Patterns
- See practical examples → Case Studies
- Return to basics → Delegation Risk