The Tri-Boundary Framework

This conceptual paper proposes the Tri-Boundary Framework for examining whether consequential AI-assisted actions remain governable as operational conditions change. The framework connects three interdependent boundaries: Proof, concerning what runtime evidence can establish; Fidelity, concerning the preservation of meaning needed for responsible judgment; and Human Authority, concerning legitimate, current and practically usable decision authority. Function, Consequence and Recovery provide three pressure tests of these conditions. An illustrative payment-hold bypass case connects the boundaries and distinguishes prevention followed by governed continuation from external financial commitment requiring recovery. A bounded client-side reference pattern illustrates technical observation and intervention while separating record authentication from observation accuracy, enforcement coverage and external settlement. Human oversight is treated as an organizational capability to challenge assumptions, revise mandates, constrain delegation and influence consequences. The framework is intended for executive decision owners and governance, risk, security and engineering specialists. It has not been empirically validated and does not constitute a compliance certification or deployment-readiness assessment.