Regulaarkeel

Regulaarkeel is a neologism used in speculative discussions of autonomous systems to denote a regulative framework that governs decision making by rule-based agents operating in dynamic and uncertain environments. It envisions a two-layer structure: a normative core of non-negotiable rules and a peripheral layer of context-sensitive heuristics that adapt the agent’s actions within safe boundaries.

Etymology: The term blends regula, Latin for rule, with a constructed suffix -arkeel designed to suggest archē or principle. It is not part of any established discipline but has appeared in commentary and fiction to convey a balance between rigidity and flexibility in governance.

Definition and components: A regulaarkeel framework comprises (a) a set of core rules that are auditable and immutable, (b) a decision-making layer that interprets rules in context, and (c) an auditing mechanism that records rationale and outcomes for accountability.

Origins and usage: The concept emerged in online discussions in the early 2020s and has since appeared in speculative essays and some open-source governance projects. It is not widely adopted as a formal theory in mainstream AI ethics or law.

Criticism and relation to other ideas: Critics argue that the term is vague or overly dependent on how context is defined. Proponents compare regulaarkeel to regulative principles in philosophy and to explainable AI, noting its emphasis on traceability and bounded flexibility.

See also: regulative principle, explainable AI, rule-based systems, governance of artificial intelligence.