Algatus

Algatus is a term used in speculative contexts to denote a framework for evaluating and regulating automated decision systems. It is not a single, widely implemented standard, but a modular concept employed in academic discussions, policy proposals, and some fictional works to illustrate how algorithmic governance could operate.

Conceptually, Algatus envisions a layered architecture consisting of a governance interface, an auditing and verification module, a rights and privacy layer, and a compliance reporting mechanism. The governance interface defines accountability lines, decision scopes, and permissible actions. The auditing module records inputs, decisions, and outcomes to enable external review. The privacy and rights layer protects user data and ensures consent and redress options. The reporting mechanism provides transparency to stakeholders and regulators and supports certification.

Origins of the name are informal; Algatus is a coined term that evokes action and undertaking, but it does not refer to a particular historical figure or organization.

Usage: In scholarly articles, Algatus is used as a hypothetical model to compare governance approaches, evaluate trade-offs, and discuss standards for auditing algorithms. In fiction, Algatus may appear as a supra-national body or a technical standard that governs algorithmic systems across sectors.

See also: algorithmic governance, algorithmic accountability, AI ethics, auditing, data privacy