Governed Cognitive Layer (Layer 8): framework reference brief

Enterprise technology has run on OSI's seven layers for fifty years. Generative AI needs an eighth: a governed cognitive layer with a semantic router, a reasoning loop and a deterministic guardrail check between the model and production systems. The layer enterprise AI needs above OSI's seven: a semantic router, a reasoning loop and a deterministic guardrail check that turn probabilistic reasoning into governed, auditable action on production systems. What this brief contains. The framework's reference diagram, the method and its application rule, and the citation record (version, first-published and last-revised dates). It is the printable form of the framework page at https://terencekok.com/frameworks/layer8/, which remains the maintained version. Provenance and status. First published on terencekok.com on 20 July 2026; this brief is version 1.0, revised 12 September 2026. A practitioner framework, not a peer-reviewed publication. Licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.