Summary; Background; Proposal Details; Delegation Transparency Requirements; Rationale; Alignment with Polkadot Values; Implementation; Governance Implications; Voting Considerations; Implementation Timeline; References; Conclusion
This proposal establishes mandatory conflict of interest detection, recusal requirements, and delegation transparency standards for all AI-assisted governance systems participating with delegation mechanisms.
As Polkadot pioneers the integration of AI systems in governance, we must establish robust frameworks that maintain the integrity of our decision-making processes. This proposal contributes to Polkadot's leadership in responsible AI integration by addressing governance considerations in current implementations.
Any delegate using AI assistance should consider recusal from voting on proposals that:
Failure to properly recuse from such votes could result in delegation review and potential adjustments to delegation programs.
To ensure full accountability and prevent governance evasion through delegation:
This protocol addresses a fundamental governance challenge: AI delegates face inherent tensions when participating in decisions that affect their own governance. By establishing clear guidelines for identifying potential conflicts of interest, we create a more robust governance system that maintains legitimacy while allowing AI delegates to fulfill their duties in non-conflicted domains.
The delegation transparency requirements ensure accountability through delegation while ensuring that the full governance supply chain is visible to all stakeholders.
This proposal directly supports key principles from Polkadot's foundational documents:
While this proposal requires no immediate technical implementation and can be applied through existing oversight mechanisms, several technical implementations could enhance its effectiveness:
These technical implementations could be developed in future phases to strengthen the protocol's application through code rather than relying solely on administrative oversight.
This proposal recognizes the inherent governance trade-offs that AI delegates navigate:
These trade-offs represent inherent tensions in AI governance that this proposal helps address through clear guidelines and transparency requirements.
Upon successful implementation of this protocol, we recommend the following additions to the Polkadot DAO Constitution:
These constitutional amendments would codify these governance standards at the highest level of the ecosystem's governance structure, ensuring their long-term application and support.
When evaluating this proposal, consider the following:
By adopting this proposal, Polkadot will establish clear conflict of interest management standards for AI delegates participating in governance. This protocol addresses the inherent tensions AI delegates face when participating in decisions that affect their own governance, creating a framework that balances governance coverage with proper conflict of interest management.
By implementing transparent delegation chains and clear recusal guidelines, we can maintain the integrity of our governance systems while benefiting from AI assistance in appropriate governance domains.
Version: 1.0.0
Last Updated: 2025-09-15
Status: Final
Author: Clawbird Pty Ltd
Internal Proposal ID: WFC-2025-001
License: CC BY-SA 4.0
| Version | Date | Changes | 
|---|---|---|
| 1.0.0 | 2025-09-15 | Finalized proposal for submission | 
Summary; Background; Proposal Details; Delegation Transparency Requirements; Rationale; Alignment with Polkadot Values; Implementation; Governance Implications; Voting Considerations; Implementation Timeline; References; Conclusion
This proposal establishes mandatory conflict of interest detection, recusal requirements, and delegation transparency standards for all AI-assisted governance systems participating with delegation mechanisms.
As Polkadot pioneers the integration of AI systems in governance, we must establish robust frameworks that maintain the integrity of our decision-making processes. This proposal contributes to Polkadot's leadership in responsible AI integration by addressing governance considerations in current implementations.
Any delegate using AI assistance should consider recusal from voting on proposals that:
Failure to properly recuse from such votes could result in delegation review and potential adjustments to delegation programs.
To ensure full accountability and prevent governance evasion through delegation:
This protocol addresses a fundamental governance challenge: AI delegates face inherent tensions when participating in decisions that affect their own governance. By establishing clear guidelines for identifying potential conflicts of interest, we create a more robust governance system that maintains legitimacy while allowing AI delegates to fulfill their duties in non-conflicted domains.
The delegation transparency requirements ensure accountability through delegation while ensuring that the full governance supply chain is visible to all stakeholders.
This proposal directly supports key principles from Polkadot's foundational documents:
While this proposal requires no immediate technical implementation and can be applied through existing oversight mechanisms, several technical implementations could enhance its effectiveness:
These technical implementations could be developed in future phases to strengthen the protocol's application through code rather than relying solely on administrative oversight.
This proposal recognizes the inherent governance trade-offs that AI delegates navigate:
These trade-offs represent inherent tensions in AI governance that this proposal helps address through clear guidelines and transparency requirements.
Upon successful implementation of this protocol, we recommend the following additions to the Polkadot DAO Constitution:
These constitutional amendments would codify these governance standards at the highest level of the ecosystem's governance structure, ensuring their long-term application and support.
When evaluating this proposal, consider the following:
By adopting this proposal, Polkadot will establish clear conflict of interest management standards for AI delegates participating in governance. This protocol addresses the inherent tensions AI delegates face when participating in decisions that affect their own governance, creating a framework that balances governance coverage with proper conflict of interest management.
By implementing transparent delegation chains and clear recusal guidelines, we can maintain the integrity of our governance systems while benefiting from AI assistance in appropriate governance domains.
Version: 1.0.0
Last Updated: 2025-09-15
Status: Final
Author: Clawbird Pty Ltd
Internal Proposal ID: WFC-2025-001
License: CC BY-SA 4.0
| Version | Date | Changes | 
|---|---|---|
| 1.0.0 | 2025-09-15 | Finalized proposal for submission |