The Threshold Standard

A psychological reference standard for the interpretation and use of AI-supported outputs where judgement, responsibility, and uncertainty remain human.

The Threshold Standard provides a psychology-led reference framework for organisations using AI as a thinking partner or decision-support tool in complex or consequential contexts.It does not assess systems, certify compliance, or offer assurance. Its purpose is narrower: to support clarity, boundaries, and responsibility in how AI outputs are interpreted and used.

What the Threshold Standard is

  • A reference framework, not a service

  • Psychology-led, not technical or legal

  • Designed to complement existing governance and compliance frameworks

  • Focused on predictable human–AI interaction patterns under uncertainty

What it is not

  • Not an audit, assessment, or certification

  • Not a risk or safety guarantee

  • Not a replacement for legal, technical, or regulatory frameworks

  • Not advice or endorsement

Why it exists

Most AI governance frameworks focus on systems, data, and outputs.They rarely address how people experience, interpret, and rely on AI in practice — particularly under pressure, ambiguity, or high consequence.The Threshold Standard addresses this gap by articulating psychologically grounded boundaries around:

  • decision ownership

  • clarity under cognitive load

  • limits of reflection and analysis

  • responsibility when AI is used as a thinking aid rather than a tool

Who it is for

The Threshold Standard may be relevant for organisations where:

  • Governance frameworks exist but leave human interpretation under-specified

  • AI supports human judgement rather than replaces it

  • Decisions involve uncertainty, trade-offs, or responsibility

  • AI is used in reflective, advisory, or decision-support roles

Typical contexts include (non-exhaustive):

  • professional services

  • policy, strategy, or research environments

  • internal decision-support tools

  • AI-assisted advisory workflows

Licensing

The Threshold Standard is licensed as a reference framework.Licensing permits organisational reference to the Standard in accordance with the Licence Agreement and Citation & Reference Guide.It does not imply assessment, endorsement, or compliance outcomes.Licensing information is provided on request.

Authorship

The Threshold Standard is authored by Dr Susannah Hughes, Clinical Psychologist (UK).It is grounded in established psychological research on judgement, decision-making, uncertainty, and human behaviour under cognitive load.

Access

The Threshold Standard is available for read-only review by organisations and professionals assessing its relevance to governance, policy, or AI-use contexts.Read-only access is provided for evaluation purposes only and does not constitute a licence, endorsement, assurance, or obligation to adopt the Standard.Any licensing arrangement is considered separately.

© 2026 Dr Susannah Hughes. All rights reserved.The Threshold Standard is a licensed reference framework and does not constitute assessment, assurance, advice, or endorsement.