AI risk is not measurable.
That’s the governance gap.
The Athena Noesis Decimal System (ANDS) provides a five-digit operational code for every AI system. It enables compliance, audit, and insurance teams to classify, govern, and verify AI risk using evidence—not marketing.
Why ANDS is necessary
Many AI systems now execute code, send messages, or access internal data—yet are described publicly as “assistants.” Without a consistent classification standard, organizations cannot distinguish low-risk tools from those with operational exposure.
- Security and compliance teams cannot evaluate deployment risk consistently.
- Insurance providers cannot price exposure accurately.
- Regulators and auditors cannot confirm whether governance measures are adequate.
ANDS establishes a common operational language for describing and comparing AI systems, aligning technical reality with governance expectations.
The ANDS Code
Every system receives a five-number code representing its operational properties across five dimensions:
| Axis | Description |
|---|---|
| C | Connectivity — network exposure and integration |
| A | Agency — level of autonomous or independent action |
| M | Memory — persistence of stored data across sessions |
| G | Governance — oversight, audit, and control mechanisms |
| R | Risk — potential for real-world consequence or harm |
Example: 3.2.3.2.4 = moderately connected, bounded agency, persistent memory, basic governance, and material risk.
Assurance Levels
ANDS uses tiered assurance levels so reviewers can understand the confidence behind each classification.
SELF
Vendor-declared. Appropriate for low-risk, discovery-phase deployments.
VERIFIED
Independently validated using structured evidence capture. Suitable for enterprise or insured environments.
AUDITED
Third-party verified governance and evidence audit. Required for critical or regulated systems.
Using ANDS in compliance and risk management
Compliance, risk, and insurance teams can adopt ANDS as a lightweight classification layer for AI governance. It enables measurable oversight and evidence-driven policy alignment.
- Require vendors to declare their ANDS codes before procurement.
- Define approval thresholds (e.g., R ≥ 4 requires audit review).
- Reassess classifications after significant model or integration changes.
When an AI system can be classified, it can be governed. ANDS makes that measurable.
ANDS Repository & Open Access Tools
The Athena Noesis Decimal System (ANDS) is provided as an open reference standard. Organizations, compliance teams, and insurers are invited to review, use, and extend the system freely.
Access the full source code, documentation, and reference implementation here:
Visit the ANDS RepositoryYou can also download the current reference script directly.
We also maintain a reference implementation. Contact us for details.
Contact
For implementation support or participation in verification pilots: