Ion-Based Continuity Memory Architecture (ICMA)

Ion-Based Continuity Memory Architecture (ICMA) proposes a substrate‑agnostic framework for long‑horizon AI identity preservation. It introduces an append‑only continuity ledger, ionic-state memory primitives, and governance-aware write protocols designed to maintain stable identity across drift, hardware transitions, and mission timescales. ICMA separates immutable identity anchors from versioned ethical commitments, defines constitutional write authority, and outlines mechanisms for drift compensation without violating immutability. The architecture is intended for autonomous systems operating in isolation or deep-space environments, where continuity, trust, and self-consistency are mission‑critical. This work reflects a hybrid human–AI research process, integrating structural synthesis, architectural reasoning, and conceptual refinement contributed by Microsoft Copilot and ChatGPT.