Who We Are

## Our Mission **HAIEF exists to embed user sovereignty in the licensing and governance infrastructure of open source AI.** We're not building another corporate foundation. We're building a movement to ensure that when someone says "open source AI," they mean AI that genuinely empowers users - not just AI with accessible weights. Our mission is to: 1. **Work with standards bodies** (OSI, FSF, Linux Foundation) to make user agency a recognized component of open source AI licensing 2. **Prevent corporate capture** by providing community-driven counterweight to industry-dominated governance 3. **Enable compliance** with emerging regulations (EU AI Act) through governance frameworks rather than restriction 4. **Protect vulnerable communities** through "Nothing About Us Without Us" authentic involvement --- ## The Solidarity Framework HAIEF provides **The Solidarity Framework** - open, community-driven standards for AI governance that prioritize human safety and user sovereignty.

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--- ## Our Approach ### Completing, Not Competing We position HAIEF as the **third pillar** of AI governance, complementing rather than competing with existing initiatives: HAIEF frameworks reference AAIF standards. We cite AI Alliance research. We work within the ecosystem, not against it. But we ensure that user voices are heard alongside corporate ones. ### Open Standards Development All HAIEF frameworks are: - **Publicly specified** - Full documentation available to everyone - **Community-developed** - Proposals and changes through open process - **Vendor-neutral** - Implementable by any platform or provider - **Technically validated** - Built on working implementations - **Auditably compliant** - Clear verification mechanisms ### "Nothing About Us Without Us" HAIEF is founded on the principle that those affected by AI governance must participate in AI governance: - **Neurodivergent community leadership** - Not consultants, but decision-makers - **Vulnerable population representation** - Those most at risk have loudest voice - **Lived experience valued** - Credentials matter less than impact - **Accessible participation** - Multiple ways to contribute --- ## Founding Contribution ### About the Founder Joshua Dorsey Sr. brings a unique perspective to AI governance: - **Neurodivergent advocate** - Personal understanding of the gaps in current AI systems - **Technical practitioner** - Hands-on experience with AI systems and their limitations - **Standards contributor** - Experience with open source governance processes - **Community builder** - Commitment to inclusive, accessible participation The frameworks weren't designed in a corporate strategy session. They emerged from real experience with AI systems that failed real users in real ways. --- ## Governance Model HAIEF operates under principles that reflect our values: ### Transparency - All governance discussions public by default - Decision-making processes documented and visible - Financial relationships disclosed - Meeting notes and minutes published ### Accessibility - Technical background not required for participation - Multiple channels for engagement (GitHub, email, forums) - Plain language documentation alongside technical specs - Accommodations for diverse participation needs ### Accountability - Clear decision-making authority and processes - Appeal mechanisms for contested decisions - Regular community check-ins and feedback - Commitment to addressing concerns ### Agency - Contributors retain rights to their work - Community members can fork and adapt - No vendor lock-in to HAIEF implementations - User sovereignty extends to governance participation --- ## What We're Building ### Technical Infrastructure - **Framework specifications** for TOI, OTOI, RRT AIdvocAIte, and Sleepwalker Protocol - **Reference implementations** that demonstrate compliance - **Validation suites** that verify framework adherence - **Integration guides** for platforms and providers ### Community Infrastructure - **Discussion forums** for governance participation - **Proposal processes** for framework evolution - **Working groups** for focused development - **Documentation** that enables contribution ### Standards Advocacy - **Engagement with OSI** on Open Source AI Definition - **Collaboration with FSF** on user freedom principles - **Participation in AAIF** discussions on user representation - **Regulatory input** on EU AI Act compliance frameworks --- ## Our Standards ---