The Hybrid Epistemic Layer: Human Meaning, Machine Resolution, and the Architecture of Augmented Judgment

The emergence of autonomous artificial intelligence creates two increasingly distinct information architectures: the Human Layer (operating via meaning, narrative, reputation, and qualitative judgment) and the Machine Layer (operating via identity, provenance, invariants, and resolvable authority). This paper formalizes the Hybrid Epistemic Layer—a coupled cognitive system in which human meaning directs machine resolution, machine resolution modifies the human information environment, and revised human judgment recursively directs further machine investigation. The loop itself becomes the primary unit of analysis. Doc Reference: ARC-PUB-2026-EXEC03Primary Zenodo DOI Anchor: 10.5281/zenodo.22665852Document DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.22908341Master Substrate Synchronization: Locked to ARC-PUB-2026-WP001 and Target Hash A-77-DELTA-SHIELD-LOCKED.