Intenia

Intenia is a term used in theoretical discussions to denote the degree to which a system's internal goals, plans, and motivational states align with its observable actions and outcomes. It is a neologism formed from intent and a Latin-like suffix, and it does not have a single, universally adopted definition in the literature.

Concept and scope. Intenia is proposed as a scalar index that researchers imagine to capture the strength and coherence of goal-directed behavior within a complex agent, whether biological or artificial. Proponents describe intenia as reflecting not only the presence of goals but also their clarity, stability, and resistance to distraction or competing demands.

Measurement and methods. In speculative frameworks, intenia could be assessed by combining qualitative evaluations of goal clarity with quantitative measures of plan stability, action consistency, and alignment between reward signals and enacted behaviors. Some approaches suggest tracking the persistence of long-term objectives over time, even when short-term temptations or obstacles arise.

Applications. The concept is mostly discussed in AI alignment, cognitive architecture, and philosophy of mind as a way to frame deliberative quality and behavioral integrity. It serves as a theoretical tool to differentiate well-coordinated, purpose-driven systems from those whose actions drift away from stated goals.

Criticism and limitations. Critics contend that intenia is ill-defined across open or dynamic environments and may overlap with established notions such as motivation, drive, or utility maximization. There is no consensus on measurement standards, making it largely theoretical rather than operational at present.

See also. Intentionality, motivation, goal-directed behavior, AI alignment, cognitive architecture.