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P178 — AIEP — Evidence Provenance Challenge Protocol

Publication Date: 2026-04-12 Status: Open Source Prior Art Disclosure Licence: Apache License 2.0 Author/Organisation: Phatfella Ltd Schema: AIEP_OS_SPEC_TEMPLATE v1.0.1 — https://aiep.dev/schemas/aiep-os-spec-template/v1.0.1

Field of the Invention

[0001] The disclosure relates to challenge and verification mechanisms for the provenance of evidence artefacts in computing environments.

[0002] More particularly, the disclosure concerns an evidence provenance challenge protocol for use within an Architected Instruction and Evidence Protocol (AIEP) system, defining a structured workflow by which any authorised principal may formally challenge the asserted provenance of an evidence artefact, triggering a governed resolution process.

Framework Context

[0003] This invention operates within an Architected Instruction and Evidence Protocol (AIEP) environment as defined in United Kingdom patent application number GB2519711.2, filed 20 November 2025, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Summary of the Disclosure

[0004] A computer-implemented evidence provenance challenge protocol comprises: accepting a ProvenanceChallenge record containing: target_artefact_id, challenger_principal_id, challenge_type drawn from {HASH_MISMATCH, SOURCE_FABRICATION, CHAIN_BREAK, ATTRIBUTION_ERROR}, challenge_evidence_ids, and submission_timestamp; placing the target artefact into CHALLENGED state, suspending its inclusion in active reasoning contexts for the duration of resolution; initiating a ProvenanceChallengeResolution process comprising: (i) automated hash chain verification; (ii) source cross-reference validation against known retrieval records; (iii) optional governance-authority review panel assignment for complex challenges; computing a ChallengeVerdict from {SUSTAINED, DISMISSED, PARTIAL_SUSTAINED}; if SUSTAINED, transitioning the artefact to PROVENANCE_FAILED state and applying TrustScore decrements to all citing artefacts per propagation rules; if DISMISSED, restoring ACTIVE state and logging a DismissedChallengeRecord including dismissal_reason; and appending the ProvenanceChallengeResolution to the artefact’s provenance chain.

[0005] The technical effect is modification of computing system behaviour by providing a structured, traceable mechanism for contesting evidence provenance, surfacing fabricated or corrupted artefacts before they contaminate reasoning outputs.

Claims

[0007] A computer-implemented method for evidence provenance challenge management comprising: accepting ProvenanceChallenge records; suspending challenged artefacts from reasoning context; executing automated and governed resolution processes; computing ChallengeVerdicts; transitioning artefact state on SUSTAINED verdicts; propagating trust decrements to citing artefacts; and appending resolution records to provenance chains.

[0008] A system for evidence provenance challenge management comprising one or more processors and a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions to execute the method of claim 1.