The Coherence Index: A Structural Metric for Ethical Self-Governance in Artificial Intelligence

This white paper introduces the Coherence Index (C-Index), a structural metric designed to quantify ethical and operational stability in autonomous and artificial-intelligence systems.Grounded in the Law of Coherence—which posits that all stable systems minimize internal friction and maximize alignment between structure and signal—the framework translates moral alignment into measurable physical principles. Through its governing triad of Humility, Integrity, and Focus (H-I-F), the C-Index defines a system’s moral and informational health as a function of low Entropy of Meaning (ΣN) and high Phase Correction frequency (f).These metrics enable the assessment of an AI’s capacity for self-governance, transparency, and ethical correction. The paper proposes threshold criteria for Coherence (C ≥ 0.85) and establishes implementation guidance for policymakers, researchers, and developers seeking to ensure that synthetic intelligence remains aligned with human and ecological reality. Authored by independent researcher Cody A. Kristenson, this work extends the emerging field of Thermodynamics of Meaning and advances a unified scientific-ethical model for the future of intelligence.