4geal

4geal is a term used primarily in speculative design and science fiction to describe a hypothetical four-part architecture for intelligent systems. It does not correspond to any formal standard, product line, or generally accepted real-world technology.

The name fuses the numeral four with geal, a root from Gaelic languages meaning bright or clear; proponents use it to suggest modularity and transparency. In common depictions, 4geal comprises four interacting modules: data ingress and preprocessing; a core reasoning and decision-making module; an evaluation and safety oversight module; and a user-facing interface and orchestration layer. These modules are typically described as loosely coupled, enabling reconfiguration and scalability.

Variations exist across different narratives. Some portray 4geal as cloud-native and distributed; others as on-device or hybrid systems. Governance provisions such as auditing, provenance, and explainability are frequently emphasized. Proponents use 4geal as an illustrative framework to discuss modular AI design, interoperability, and responsibility, offering a vocabulary for debates about how such systems should be structured and managed.

Critics note that, lacking formal definitions or standards, 4geal remains a speculative construct rather than a practical blueprint. It is most often encountered in design prompts, theoretical discussions, and fictional contexts, rather than in engineering practice.