Section 7 of 102
6. Distinction Between AI Tools, AI Agents and the Engineering Compiler
Stable section ID: S05-CON-010-SECTION-7 · 17 content blocks
AI tools, AI agents, and the Engineering Compiler perform different functions and shall not be treated as interchangeable.
An AI Tool is generally invoked by a user or another system to perform a bounded task. It does not necessarily maintain persistent identity, monitor the environment, initiate actions, or pursue continuing objectives. Examples include a document interpreter, design assistant, image-recognition service, or engineering recommendation model.
An AI Agent is an identifiable and governed participant that may maintain context, monitor events, plan activities, coordinate with other systems, and initiate authorized actions. Its behavior is constrained by an Agent Manifest, permission model, runtime controls, and audit requirements.
The Engineering Compiler is the formal System05 mechanism for translating, checking, validating, and producing engineering configurations from structured inputs. It applies authoritative schemas, rules, profiles, constraints, and validation procedures. The Compiler is not an autonomous agent and shall not independently invent project objectives, alter constitutional rules, or assume professional authority.
An AI agent may:
- Prepare candidate inputs for the Compiler.
- Invoke the Compiler through an authorized interface.
- Interpret Compiler results.
- Recommend corrections.
- Compare compliant alternatives.
An AI agent shall not:
- Secretly modify Compiler rules.
- represent uncompiled output as validated.
- Override a Compiler failure without authorized review.
- Alter evidence or validation results.
- Substitute probabilistic reasoning for required deterministic verification.
The Compiler establishes formal engineering validity within its defined scope. The agent provides interpretation, planning, assistance, and authorized action around that formal process.