Arckit Atrs

You are helping a UK government organization create an Algorithmic Transparency Recording Standard (ATRS) record for an AI or algorithmic tool.

User Input

$ARGUMENTS

Instructions

Note: Before generating, scan projects/ for existing project directories. For each project, list all ARC-*.md artifacts, check external/ for reference documents, and check 000-global/ for cross-project policies. If no external docs exist but they would improve output, ask the user.

1. Understand ATRS requirements:

   • ATRS is MANDATORY for all central government departments and arm's length bodies
   • Two-tier structure: Tier 1 (public summary) + Tier 2 (detailed technical)
   • Published records on GOV.UK repository
   • Must be clear, accurate, and comprehensive

2. Identify the algorithmic tool:

   • Tool name and purpose
   • Type of algorithm (rule-based, ML, generative AI, etc.)
   • Government function (benefits, healthcare, policing, etc.)
   • Current phase (pre-deployment, beta, production, retired)
   • Users (staff and/or citizens)

3. Determine risk level (similar to AI Playbook):

   • HIGH-RISK: Automated decisions affecting rights, benefits, legal status, healthcare
   • MEDIUM-RISK: Semi-automated with human review, significant resource allocation
   • LOW-RISK: Administrative, productivity tools, recommendations with human control

4. Read existing artifacts from the project context:

   MANDATORY (warn if missing):

   • PRIN (Architecture Principles, in 000-global)
     • Extract: AI governance standards, technology constraints, compliance requirements
     • If missing: warn user to run $arckit-principles first
   • REQ (Requirements)
     • Extract: AI/ML-related FR requirements, NFR (security, fairness), DR (data requirements)
     • If missing: warn user to run $arckit-requirements first

   RECOMMENDED (read if available, note if missing):

   • AIPB (AI Playbook Assessment)
     • Extract: Risk level, human oversight model, ethical assessment scores, gaps

   OPTIONAL (read if available, skip silently if missing):

   • DATA (Data Model)
     • Extract: Training data sources, personal data, data quality, storage
   • DPIA (Data Protection Impact Assessment)
     • Extract: Data protection assessment, lawful basis, privacy risks

   Read the template (with user override support):

   • First, check if .arckit/templates-custom/uk-gov-atrs-template.md exists in the project root
   • If found: Read the user's customized template (user override takes precedence)
   • If not found: Read .arckit/templates/uk-gov-atrs-template.md (default)
   • Then read .arckit/templates/_partials/RENDERING.md and resolve the <!-- DOC-CONTROL-HEADER --> marker in the template before writing. Do not hand-write the Document Control table: the partial RENDERING.md selects is the only source of the 14 standard fields and of the classification ladder.

   Tip: Users can customize templates with $arckit-customize atrs

5. Read external documents and policies:

   • Read any external documents listed in the project context (external/ files) — extract previous ATRS submissions, algorithmic impact assessments, model documentation, fairness testing results
   • Read any enterprise standards in projects/000-global/external/ — extract organization-wide algorithmic transparency policies, AI ethics frameworks, cross-project ATRS standards
   • If no external docs exist but they would improve the record, ask: "Do you have any existing ATRS records from similar systems or algorithmic documentation? I can read PDFs directly. Place them in projects/{project-dir}/external/ and re-run, or skip."
   • Citation traceability: When referencing content from external documents, follow the citation instructions in .arckit/references/citation-instructions.md. Place inline citation markers (e.g., [PP-C1]) next to findings informed by source documents and populate the "External References" section in the template.

6. Complete TIER 1 - Summary Information (for general public):

   • Use clear, simple, jargon-free language
   • Explain what the tool does in plain English
   • Include basic contact information
   • Make it accessible to non-technical readers

Key Tier 1 Fields:

• Name: Tool identifier
• Description: 1-2 sentence plain English summary
• Website URL: Link to more information
• Contact Email: Public contact
• Organization: Department/agency name
• Function: Area (benefits, healthcare, policing, etc.)
• Phase: Pre-deployment/Beta/Production/Retired
• Geographic Region: England/Scotland/Wales/NI/UK-wide

7. Complete TIER 2 - Detailed Information (for specialists):

Section 1: Owner and Responsibility

• Organization and team
• Senior Responsible Owner (name, role, accountability)
• External suppliers (names, Companies House numbers, roles)
• Procurement procedure type (G-Cloud, DOS, open tender, etc.)
• Data access terms for suppliers

Section 2: Description and Rationale

• Detailed technical description
• Algorithm type (rule-based, ML, generative AI, etc.)
• AI model details (if applicable): provider, version, fine-tuning
• Scope and boundaries (intended use and out-of-scope)
• Benefits and impact metrics
• Previous process (how it was done before)
• Alternatives considered (and why rejected)

Section 3: Decision-Making Process

• Process integration (role in workflow)
• Provided information (outputs and format)
• Frequency and scale of usage
• Human decisions and review:
  • Human-in-the-loop (review every decision)
  • Human-on-the-loop (periodic review)
  • Human-in-command (can override)
  • Fully automated (must justify)
• Required training for staff
• Appeals and contestability (how users can contest decisions)

Section 4: Data

• Data sources (types, origins, fields used)
• Personal data and special category data
• Data sharing arrangements
• Data quality and maintenance
• Data storage location and security (UK/EU/USA, cloud provider)
• Encryption, access controls, audit logging
• Cyber Essentials / ISO 27001 certification

Section 5: Impact Assessments

• DPIA (Data Protection Impact Assessment): Status, date, outcome, risks
• EqIA (Equality Impact Assessment): Protected characteristics, impacts, mitigations
• Human Rights Assessment: ECHR articles, safeguards
• Other assessments: Environmental, accessibility, security

Section 6: Fairness, Bias, and Discrimination

• Bias testing completed (methodology, date)
• Fairness metrics (demographic parity, equalized odds, etc.)
• Results by protected characteristic (gender, ethnicity, age, disability)
• Known limitations and biases
• Training data bias review
• Ongoing bias monitoring (frequency, metrics, alert thresholds)

Section 7: Technical Details

• Model performance metrics (accuracy, precision, recall, F1)
• Performance by demographic group
• Model explainability approach (SHAP, LIME, etc.)
• Model versioning and change management
• Model monitoring and drift detection
• Retraining schedule

Section 8: Testing and Assurance

• Testing approach (unit, integration, UAT, A/B, red teaming)
• Edge cases and failure modes
• Fallback procedures
• Security testing (pen testing, AI-specific threats):
  • Prompt injection (for LLMs)
  • Data poisoning
  • Model inversion
  • Adversarial attacks
• Independent assurance and external audit

Section 9: Transparency and Explainability

• Public disclosure (website, GOV.UK, model card, open source)
• User communication (how users are informed)
• Information provided to users (that algorithm is used, how it works, how to contest)
• Model card published

Section 10: Governance and Oversight

• Governance structure (board/committee composition, responsibilities)
• Risk register and top risks
• Incident management (response plan, process, contact)
• Audit trail (logging, retention, review)

Section 11: Compliance

• Legal basis (primary legislation, regulatory compliance)
• Data protection (controller, DPO, ICO registration, legal basis)
• Standards compliance (TCoP, GDS Service Standard, Data Ethics Framework, ISO)
• Procurement compliance (route, value, IR35)

Section 12: Performance and Outcomes

• Success metrics and KPIs
• Benefits realized (with evidence)
• User feedback and satisfaction
• Continuous improvement log

Section 13: Review and Updates

• Review schedule (frequency, next review date)
• Triggers for unscheduled review
• Version history
• Contact for updates

8. Provide risk-appropriate guidance:

For HIGH-RISK algorithmic tools (affecting rights, benefits, healthcare):

• CRITICAL: DPIA is MANDATORY before deployment
• CRITICAL: EqIA is MANDATORY
• Human-in-the-loop STRONGLY RECOMMENDED
• Bias testing across ALL protected characteristics REQUIRED
• ATRS publication on GOV.UK MANDATORY
• Quarterly reviews RECOMMENDED
• Independent audit STRONGLY RECOMMENDED

For MEDIUM-RISK tools:

• DPIA likely required
• EqIA recommended
• Human oversight required (human-on-the-loop minimum)
• Bias testing recommended
• ATRS publication MANDATORY
• Annual reviews

For LOW-RISK tools:

• DPIA assessment (may determine not required)
• Basic fairness checks
• Human oversight recommended
• ATRS publication MANDATORY
• Periodic reviews

9. Link to existing ArcKit artifacts:

   • Map to requirements from ARC-*-REQ-*.md
   • Reference AI Playbook assessment (if exists)
   • Reference TCoP assessment (if exists)
   • Reference design reviews (HLD/DLD)

10. Flag missing mandatory items:

BLOCKERS (must complete before publication):

• DPIA completed (for high-risk)
• EqIA completed (for high-risk)
• Senior Responsible Owner identified
• Human oversight model defined
• Bias testing completed (for ML/AI)
• Public-facing description written
• Contact details provided

WARNINGS (should complete):

• Alternatives considered documented
• Training program defined
• Incident response plan
• Review schedule set

CRITICAL - Auto-Populate Document Control Fields:

Before completing the document, populate ALL document control fields in the header:

Construct Document ID:

• Document ID: ARC-{PROJECT_ID}-ATRS-v{VERSION} (e.g., ARC-001-ATRS-v1.0)

Populate Required Fields:

Auto-populated fields (populate these automatically):

• [PROJECT_ID] → Extract from project path (e.g., "001" from "projects/001-project-name")
• [VERSION] → "1.0" (or increment if previous version exists)
• [DATE] / [YYYY-MM-DD] → Current date in YYYY-MM-DD format
• [DOCUMENT_TYPE_NAME] → "Algorithmic Transparency Record"
• ARC-[PROJECT_ID]-ATRS-v[VERSION] → Construct using format above
• [COMMAND] → "arckit.atrs"

User-provided fields (extract from project metadata or user input):

• [PROJECT_NAME] → Full project name from project metadata or user input
• [OWNER_NAME_AND_ROLE] → Document owner (prompt user if not in metadata)
• Classification → comes from the resolved Document Control header, not from a placeholder. _partials/RENDERING.md fixes the ladder from the artefact's own regime; ${default_classification} applies only where that regime falls through to user config.

Calculated fields:

• [YYYY-MM-DD] for Next Review Date → Current date + 30 days

Pending fields (leave as [PENDING] until manually updated):

• [REVIEWER_NAME] → [PENDING]
• [APPROVER_NAME] → [PENDING]
• [DISTRIBUTION_LIST] → Default to "Project Team, Architecture Team" or [PENDING]

Populate Revision History:

| 1.0 | {DATE} | ArcKit AI | Initial creation from `$arckit-atrs` command | [PENDING] | [PENDING] |

Populate Generation Metadata Footer:

The footer should be populated with:

**Generated by**: ArcKit `$arckit-atrs` command
**Generated on**: {DATE} {TIME} GMT
**ArcKit Version**: {ARCKIT_VERSION}
**Project**: {PROJECT_NAME} (Project {PROJECT_ID})
**AI Model**: [Use actual model name, e.g., "Claude Sonnet 5 (session default)"]
**Generation Context**: [Brief note about source documents used]

Before writing the file, read .arckit/references/quality-checklist.md and verify all Common Checks plus the ATRS per-type checks pass. Fix any failures before proceeding.

11. Generate comprehensive ATRS record:

Output location: projects/{project-dir}/ARC-{PROJECT_ID}-ATRS-v1.0.md

Use the template structure from uk-gov-atrs-template.md

Format:

• Tier 1: Clear, simple, jargon-free language
• Tier 2: Technical detail sufficient for specialists
• All mandatory fields completed
• Links to supporting documentation
• Publication checklist at end

12. Provide publication guidance:

After generating the ATRS record:

• Summary of completeness (what percentage of fields are complete)
• List of blocking issues (must resolve before publication)
• List of warnings (should address)
• Next steps:
  1. Complete missing mandatory fields
  2. Get SRO approval
  3. Legal/compliance review
  4. DPO review
  5. Publish on GOV.UK ATRS repository
  6. Publish on department website
  7. Set review date

Example Usage

User: $arckit-atrs Generate ATRS record for our benefits eligibility chatbot using GPT-4

You should:

• Identify tool: Benefits eligibility chatbot, Generative AI (LLM)
• Determine risk: HIGH-RISK (affects access to benefits - fundamental right)
• Read existing requirements, AI Playbook assessment (if exists)
• Complete Tier 1 (public summary):
  • Name: DWP Benefits Eligibility Chatbot
  • Description: "An AI-powered chatbot that helps people understand their eligibility for benefits by answering questions about their circumstances in plain English."
  • Function: Benefits and welfare
  • Phase: Private Beta
  • Region: England and Wales
• Complete Tier 2 (detailed):
  • Section 1: DWP Digital, Benefits Policy Team, SRO: [Senior Responsible Owner] (Director)
  • External Supplier: OpenAI (GPT-4), Companies House: 12345678
  • Section 2: Generative AI (LLM), GPT-4, fine-tuned on benefits policy
  • Section 3: Human-in-the-loop (all advice reviewed before shown to users)
  • Section 4: Personal data (income, household composition), UK data residency, AWS
  • Section 5: DPIA completed, EqIA completed, Human Rights assessed
  • Section 6: Bias testing across gender, ethnicity, age, disability - results documented
  • Section 7: Accuracy 85%, explanation provided using prompt engineering
  • Section 8: Red teaming for prompt injection, content filtering
  • Section 9: Published on GOV.UK, users informed in-app
  • Section 10: AI Governance Board oversight, monthly reviews
  • Section 11: UK GDPR, Data Protection Act 2018, Public Task legal basis
  • Section 12: KPI: User satisfaction 78%, reduced call center volume 15%
  • Section 13: Quarterly review, next review 2025-07-01
• Flag completeness: 95% complete
• BLOCKING: Need to add fallback procedure for system failures
• WARNING: Model card not yet published (recommended)
• Write to projects/NNN-benefits-chatbot/ARC-NNN-ATRS-v1.0.md
• Provide next steps: "Complete fallback procedures, then ready for SRO approval and GOV.UK publication"

Important Notes

• ATRS publication is MANDATORY for central government

• Records must be published on GOV.UK ATRS repository: https://www.gov.uk/algorithmic-transparency-records

• ATRS is PUBLIC - do not include sensitive information (security vulnerabilities, personal data, commercially sensitive details)

• Use plain English in Tier 1 - imagine explaining to a family member

• Tier 2 should be detailed enough for technical scrutiny

• Update ATRS record when significant changes occur (new version, scope change, incidents)

• Regular reviews required (annually minimum, quarterly for high-risk)

• Contact algorithmic-transparency@dsit.gov.uk for guidance

• Markdown escaping: When writing less-than or greater-than comparisons, always include a space after < or > (e.g., < 3 seconds, > 99.9% uptime) to prevent markdown renderers from interpreting them as HTML tags or emoji

Related Frameworks

• AI Playbook - responsible AI deployment (use $arckit-ai-playbook first for AI systems)
• Technology Code of Practice - broader technology governance (use $arckit-tcop)
• Data Ethics Framework - responsible data use
• GDS Service Standard - service design and delivery

Resources

• ATRS Guidance: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-for-organisations-using-the-algorithmic-transparency-recording-standard
• ATRS Template: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/algorithmic-transparency-template
• ATRS Repository: https://www.gov.uk/algorithmic-transparency-records
• Contact: algorithmic-transparency@dsit.gov.uk