Glossary

Democratic governance institution operating at global scale, accountable to individuals. Offices in every jurisdiction. Policy scored by LEWs impact. Path: Founding Phase → Constitutional Convention → permanent elected governance. aigcd.world

A vision for a global society in which all people can live long, happy, prosperous lives — measured, managed, and continually improved through AI-powered institutions accountable to the people they serve. The AI-Powered Wellbeing Society Plan (this document, at aiws.global) describes how to create the conditions for that society. The society is the vision; the plan is how we get there.

An EFRI methodology where building and learning happen simultaneously. Used during Year 1 of the plan to refine both the plan and the infrastructure being built from it.

A methodology for AI-partnership-driven research and development at 50 to 1,000 times the speed of traditional approaches (Thornewill and GoldSage, 2026), benchmarked against a 2022 university-research-based productivity average.

A global network connecting researchers, entrepreneurs, accelerators, investors, and standards bodies in a Compositional Action Research (CAR) cycle — where research and practice advance together at EFRI speed. Independent of any single platform. Governs standards (OSPREY, LEWs measurement, WFI methodology). Open to universities, startups, established companies, accelerator programs, and WFI-aligned investors. efrinet.world (planned).

A commitment each participant makes to recognize each person as infinitely and intrinsically valuable, and worthy of honor and respect in each interaction, regardless of differences. Ethics precedes ontology (Levinas). The anchor of the AIWS Plan — comes before every other value, structure, and institution.

Bhutan's pioneering wellbeing measurement framework, formalized in 2008. The first nation to measure wellbeing rather than just economic output.

Financial instruments backed by measurable wellbeing improvement commitments. Investors fund wellbeing improvements today based on projected LEWs gains, creating returns tied to actual wellbeing outcomes.

A universal measure integrating Life Expectancy × WELLBYs (life satisfaction, 0-10) × Catastrophic Risk Adjustment. Maximum 1,050. Current global average: 326 (31%). Target: 646 (62%) by 2050.

An entity that administers a Network-Level Collaborative (NLC). During the Founding Phase of the AIWS, a single NAO supports GoldBird, AI-GCD, and EFRI-Net. The NAO is distinct from the networks it administers.

A network of three or more entities (of any type — individuals, organizations, AI services, or other networks) working collaboratively toward a shared aim. Structurally distinct from the organization that administers it (Provan et al., 2007; Thornewill, 2011).

A 0-10 scale measuring how likely someone is to recommend something (in this case, the AIWS Plan) to a colleague or friend. Used to gauge how well the plan resonates and where it needs improvement.

Interoperability standards for AIWS-linked platforms. Governed by EFRI-Net. Enable participants to move between platforms and data to be federated across jurisdictions.

A strategic planning framework that evaluates internal capabilities (S/W) and external conditions (O/T). Used in Section IV of this plan.

A fractal approach to democratic governance that scales from teams of four to global institutions, aligned with Dunbar number boundaries for manageable human relationships. Used by all three AIWS institutions.

A partnership of national governments (New Zealand, Scotland, Iceland, Wales, Finland, Canada) committed to wellbeing budgeting and beyond-GDP policy. Formed 2018.

Life satisfaction units measured on a 0-10 scale per year of life. A component of LEWs. Developed by Frijters, Layard, Clark, and others.

An investment methodology where financial returns are tied to measurable wellbeing improvement. Makes wellbeing investable — not just measurable. Capital can flow toward wellbeing with real returns. Methodology detailed in Wellbeing Futures Investing by Dr. Thornewill (2026).