Values Architecture Governance System (VAGS): Values Coherence and the Durability of AI Alignment Under Real-World Conditions

The Values Architecture Governance System (VAGS) introduces a governance layer designed to preserve coherence in complex systems shaped by values, including human institutions and human–machine ecosystems. It addresses not only alignment at the point of design, but the durability of alignment over time, as systems operate under real-world conditions. Building on the architectural foundations established in the Weighted Systems Values Architecture (WSVA), this paper defines the purpose, structure, and core functional requirements of adaptive values governance under pressure and change. VAGS describes how values expression can be supported through reference patterns, coherence windows, drift and tension indicators, recalibration signals, and alignment checkpoints. This is the Accessible Edition (public release). Implementation details, calibration methods, and operational mechanisms are intentionally not specified in this overview.