Grounding

Definition

Connecting generated output to supplied or retrieved evidence that can be inspected.

Practical test

Can every material output statement be connected to supplied or retrieved evidence that the reviewer can inspect?

Example

A policy answer is grounded when it shows the current exact passage; a plausible answer followed by a homepage link is not.

What to record

For grounding to be operational rather than a reassuring label, record the material claim, exact passage, source version, observation date, and any labeled inference. If those facts cannot be observed or tested, do not treat the term itself as evidence that the workflow is safe.