Transparency label: AI-assisted
In an earlier post, I introduced the idea of “contextual systems engineering”. Building on that idea, we are developing a way to manage collaborative work with AI — especially where the goal of the collaboration is a knowledge-based product: for example a report, a competitive tender, an academic paper, or a policy framework.
What we have come up with is the idea of a Contextual Scaffolding Framework. The framework combines two models:
- A phase model to provide an overall structure for the work of producing the product, from its concept through to operational use.
- A project model to structure the detailed work within each phase.
The principle is simple: if we want AI to stay helpful and relevant, we need to give it the right information. The framework helps us decide what information to provide and when.
The information we provide is put into the AI’s “context” — and the context must evolve to keep pace with the work. Like a satnav updating in real time, the contextual scaffolding keeps the AI aware of where you are, what matters most, and how best to move forward.
🧱 Read the full framework here
Transparency label justification. The post was drafted by ChatGPT based on Alec’s prior work in a long chat, with Alec guiding tone and purpose. ChatGPT proposed structure and language, but all content reflects and links back to a human-authored framework.