Evidence assurance

Evidence Standards for Responsible Reliance

The strength of a conclusion is limited by the quality, authority, independence, completeness and relevance of the evidence supporting it.

Information is not automatically evidence.

Primary evidence before commentary

Original and controlling records are preferred over summaries and commentary where reasonably obtainable.

Source independence before volume

Repeated reporting does not create independent corroboration when several sources depend on the same origin.

Contradictions remain visible

Evidence that weakens the leading interpretation remains part of the assessment.

Alternative explanations are tested

Where more than one explanation fits the evidence, competing hypotheses are examined.

Uncertainty is disclosed

Unavailable records, unresolved questions and material gaps are not hidden by confident drafting.

Reliance is explicit

The final assessment states what the evidence can and cannot responsibly support for the intended decision.

Model memory is not evidence.

Artificial intelligence, generated recollection, apparent familiarity, repeated statements or confident language cannot establish a material fact. Material propositions in professional work require an identifiable evidentiary basis.

See the human-directed technology standard →

No conclusion stronger than the available evidence.

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