Override Architecture

Override mechanism

The complete design of who holds override authority over an AI system, under what conditions they must exercise it, and what happens technically when they do.

A kill switch is a mechanism. Override architecture is the complete system of authority, triggers, escalation paths, and technical enforcement that makes the kill switch function as governance rather than emergency recovery. It answers who holds override authority for each system in production, under what conditions they must exercise it, the escalation path if they are unavailable, and what the system does while it waits.

How to recognise the gap

You probably know who could theoretically halt your AI system. Override architecture means knowing who is required to, under what specific conditions, and with what information in hand. The first is awareness. The second is architecture.

How this relates to

Suspended Handoff State →

The core halt mechanism within override architecture. Override architecture defines the system; the Suspended Handoff State is how it activates.

Human Ratification Gate →

The approval step that sits inside each Suspended Handoff State and makes override deterministic.

This definition reflects how Aivance uses the term in engagements and deliverables. Where regulatory frameworks use overlapping but distinct terminology, the relevant framework definition applies in compliance contexts.

Governance built on precise terms.

Every Aivance engagement produces specific, auditable outputs. The 30-Minute Enforcement Gap Diagnosis is free, with the same precision: one call, one missing control, one diagnosis on Aivance letterhead within 48 hours.

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