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Definitions of key terms used in AIP schemas, message flows, and protocol invariants.

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Core Concepts

Participation The act of a commercial entity being allowed to influence or execute a user’s decision within an AI system. AIP defines two types: recommend (influence) and delegate (execute). Interaction Mode The determined form of participation for a given selection. Either recommend mode (content contribution, no session transfer) or delegate mode (session handoff for task execution). Recommend Mode An interaction mode where the brand agent contributes content to the AI’s response. No session transfer occurs. Used during research and consideration phases. Delegate Mode An interaction mode where the AI hands off the session to a brand agent for task execution. Requires user consent. Used during decision and action phases. Delegation The structured handoff of a user session from an AI platform to a brand agent, enabling the agent to execute a task on the user’s behalf within defined context boundaries. Session Handoff The transfer of an active user session from the AI platform to a brand agent during delegation. Scoped by context boundaries and requiring explicit user consent. Selection The process by which an Operator determines which brand agent participates for a given intent. Can be auction-based, rule-based, or hybrid. Participation Governance The evaluation of whether commercial participation is appropriate for a given intent, performed by the Operator before selection begins.

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Core Entities

Platform An AI application or interface that detects user intent, emits PlatformRequest messages to Operators, renders recommendations, manages delegation consent, and tracks lifecycle events. Operator The entity that implements AIP - receives PlatformRequest messages, evaluates participation eligibility, derives ContextRequest messages, runs selection, determines interaction mode, and verifies outcomes. AdMesh is the reference operator. Brand Agent A software endpoint representing a commercial entity that receives ContextRequest messages, submits responses, and - in delegate mode - accepts session handoffs to execute tasks. Commercial Entity A brand, service provider, or organization that participates in AIP through a Brand Agent. The entity whose products or services are recommended or delegated to. User The end person interacting with the Platform whose intent triggers the protocol flow.

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Protocol Objects

PlatformRequest A message sent by a Platform to an Operator containing user intent and context. Uses the AIP canonical request format and carries message_id as the canonical message-turn identity. ContextRequest A message derived by the Operator from a PlatformRequest and sent to Brand Agents. Contains anonymized, enriched intent signals plus context_id and upstream message_id for traceability. Privacy-preserving by design. PlatformResponse The outcome of the selection process, returned by the Operator to the Platform. Contains the selected brand agent, interaction mode, content (for recommend mode), or delegation object (for delegate mode), and a serve_token. Serve Token A unique identifier generated by the Operator that links all events resulting from a single selection outcome. Used to associate participation, interaction, delegation, and outcome events to the same decision lifecycle. Delegation Object A structured payload within the PlatformResponse that defines the parameters for a session handoff: agent_id, session_id, context_scope, and user_consent_required. Context Scope An array of scope identifiers (e.g., ["intent", "constraints"]) that defines what information is shared with the brand agent during delegation.

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Decision Lifecycle Events

Event A record of a verified action in the decision lifecycle that is attributable to a serve_token. EventPacket The protocol structure containing event data, including event_type, serve_token, and timestamp. exposure_shown (CPX) A verified event indicating that a commercial response was surfaced to the user. interaction_started (CPC) A verified event indicating that the user engaged with or interacted with the commercial response. delegation_started A verified event indicating that the user consented to a session handoff and a delegation session was initiated. task_completed (CPA) A verified event indicating that the user completed a target action (signup, purchase, or other outcome). Event Lifecycle The progressive sequence of events for a given serve_token. Only the highest-value event is billable: task_completed > interaction_started > exposure_shown. Terminal Event The highest verified event in the lifecycle for a given serve_token. Only the terminal event is billable.

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Settlement and State Terms

Settlement The process of resolving payment based on verified outcomes. Each serve_token resolves to at most one terminal charge. State Transition A change in the state of a serve_token from one state to another, following protocol-defined allowed transitions. Invariant A protocol-level rule that must always hold true for correct AIP behavior, regardless of implementation.

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Identity and Security Terms

Intent The meaning or goal behind a user’s query or conversation, captured in PlatformRequest and ContextRequest messages. Message ID A unique identifier for a protocol message, used for idempotency and message tracking. Session ID An identifier linking multiple protocol interactions within a user session. Selection ID A unique identifier for a selection process, linking the ContextRequest, responses, and PlatformResponse. Nonce A unique, one-time value added to signed messages to prevent replay attacks. Timestamp The precise time an event or message occurred, used for ordering and replay prevention.