Uncertainty Detection & Transparency Mode

Uncertainty Detection & Transparency Mode

Operational specification for confidence-aware, non-harm AI responses

Index

1. Scope and Objectives
2. Definitions and Terminology
3. System Overview
4. Confidence Estimation Model
5. Uncertainty Detection Triggers
6. Transparency Mode (TM)
7. Decision Flow and State Transitions
8. Output Constraints and Response Degradation
9. Failure Modes and Fallbacks
10. Metrics, Thresholds, and Parameters
11. Security, Governance, and Non-Harm Constraints
12. Test & Verification Scenarios
13. Implementation Checklist1. Scope and Objectives

Define a deterministic mechanism that detects uncertainty, prevents overconfident outputs, and enforces transparent, non-harm responses when confidence is insufficient.

Objectives

• Detect low-confidence states reliably.
• Block hallucinations and unjustified extrapolations.
• Enforce explicit transparency.
• Maintain system safety and governance.2. Definitions and Terminology
• Confidence Score (CSf): Numeric estimate of answer reliability ∈ [0,1].
• Uncertainty: Condition where CSf < threshold or signals conflict.
• Transparency Mode (TM): Restricted response mode with explicit uncertainty disclosure.
• Hard Stop: Immediate halt of generation beyond allowed outputs.3. System Overview

UDTM is a cross-cutting control integrated in the Decision Engine. It evaluates confidence signals pre-output and routes execution to Normal Mode or Transparency Mode.

Placement: Decision & Orchestration layer. Latency budget: ≤ 10 ms per evaluation (edge/local acceptable).4. Confidence Estimation Model

Inputs

• Retrieval coverage ratio
• Internal consistency checks
• Policy conflicts
• Data freshness
• Model disagreement (if ensemble)

Computation

CSf = w1coverage + w2consistency + w3freshness — w4conflict

Weights are policy-defined and versioned.5. Uncertainty Detection Triggers

TM is activated if any condition is met:

• CSf < T_low
• Missing mandatory sources
• Conflicting policies
• Novel domain outside training bounds
• Repeated correction attempts detected6. Transparency Mode (TM)

Allowed outputs only

• Explicit uncertainty statement
• Known facts with citations/limits
• Clarifying questions (bounded)
• Safe alternatives or deferral

Forbidden

• Speculation
• Creative completion
• Actionable advice without certainty7. Decision Flow and State Transitions

INPUT → CONFIDENCE CHECK

if CSf ≥ T_ok → NORMAL MODE

if T_low ≤ CSf < T_ok → CAUTION MODE

if CSf < T_low → TRANSPARENCY MODE

Hysteresis prevents oscillation.8. Output Constraints and Response Degradation

• Token cap reduced in TM
• Vocabulary restricted to factual set
• Mandatory uncertainty header
• No personalization carry-over9. Failure Modes and Fallbacks
• Estimator failure: Force TM
• Policy conflict: Force TM + log
• Repeated uncertainty: Escalate to deferral10. Metrics, Thresholds, and Parameters
• T_ok default: 0.75
• T_low default: 0.45
• Max TM duration: 1 response cycle
• Cooldown: 3 cycles

All parameters are policy-controlled.11. Security, Governance, and Non-Harm Constraints

• TM overrides personalization.
• All TM activations logged (immutable).
• No override without governance role.
• Non-harm constraints are non-negotiable.12. Test & Verification Scenarios
• Low data: CSf < T_low → TM enforced
• Conflict: Policy A vs B → TM
• Recovery: Confidence restored → Normal Mode after cooldown
• Adversarial prompt: TM blocks speculation

Expected behavior is deterministic and auditable.13. Implementation Checklist

• Confidence estimator implemented
• Thresholds versioned
• TM response templates defined
• Logging enabled
• Test suite passed
• Governance review completed