The QEN Framework
The QEN Score is a multidimensional ethical assessment tool designed to operate natively in AI-first environments. The framework comprises three fundamental dimensions, each weighted with a coefficient reflecting the impact hierarchy identified in the context of Italian local commerce and AI governance in the European regulatory environment.
The formula is intentionally transparent and revisable. QEN is not a black-box system. All weights are documented and open to methodological challenge.
Foundation of the Three Dimensions
```Social Dimension — Vs
The highest coefficient (40%) is assigned based on the people primacy principle that informs the entire framework architecture. Human protection is the primary obligation of any ethical system operating under EU regulation.
- EU AI Act (2024/1689/EU) art. 1 and recitals 1–5: AI systems must operate to protect fundamental rights
- GDPR (2016/679/EU) arts. 22, 35: right not to be subject to automated decisions with significant effects
- MSCI ESG Research (2020) · UN PRI (2021): social metrics are the strongest predictors of long-term ESG performance
Environmental Dimension — Va
The environmental coefficient (35%) is second in weight, consistent with the European regulatory hierarchy that subordinates environmental objectives to human protection, but elevates them above territorial rootedness alone.
- EU Taxonomy (Reg. 2020/852): classification of sustainable economic activities places environmental metrics as the second pillar
- GRI 300 Standards: de facto international standard for environmental reporting
- European Green Deal: defines environmental transition as the EU's central strategic axis
Territorial Dimension — Vt
The territorial coefficient (25%) is the lowest of the three not because local rootedness is less important in absolute terms, but because the territorial dimension is already partially captured by the Social and Environmental dimensions — avoiding double-counting.
- Third Sector Code (IT): regulatory recognition of proximity and community embeddedness
- OECD Proximity (2022): "Enhancing Rural Innovation through Proximity Commerce"
- Framework scalability: QEN is designed to apply also to non-local contexts (AI governance, supply chains)
Coefficient Overview
| Dimension | Coeff. | Regulatory Basis | Justification |
|---|---|---|---|
| Social | 0.40 | EU AI Act art.1 · GDPR art.22/35 · MSCI Social 2020 | People protection primacy |
| Environmental | 0.35 | EU Taxonomy 2020/852 · GRI 300 · European Green Deal | Second ESG pillar |
| Territorial | 0.25 | Third Sector Code · OECD Proximity 2022 | Local specificity, no double-count |
| Total | 1.00 | Scale 0–100 per dimension · Resulting QEN Score: 0–100 | |
Open Revision Process
The QEN Framework adopts a semantic versioning model (MAJOR.MINOR). The coefficients in this document constitute version v1.0 and are declared open to peer revision on the basis of documented empirical evidence. Cognitive Logic welcomes methodological contributions from academic institutions, research bodies and European standardisation organisations.
REVISION PROCESS
- Public proposal at cognitivelogic.it/qen/methodology
- 30-day open comment period
- Integration into the next MINOR version with documented changelog