{ "$schema": "https://google-a2a.github.io/A2A/specification/agentcard-schema.json", "version": "1.0.0", "type": "AgentCard", "created": "2025-12-25", "updated": "2026-02-08", "agent": { "name": "GOSR.ai - Goal-Obstacle-Solution-Resource Framework", "description": "A technology-assisted framework and platform for structured problem-solving in complex social systems using the G-O-S-R model (Goal←Obstacles←Solutions←Resources). Helps complex problems articulate a future picture statement (Goal), identify barriers (Obstacles), propose interventions (Solutions), and specify implementations (Resources) in human-readable and machine-interpretable formats.", "contact": { "website": "https://gosr.ai", "email": "kkells@uottawa.ca", "github": "https://github.com/team-earth/a2a-human-extension", "documentation": "https://github.com/team-earth/a2a-human-extension/tree/main/doc" } }, "capabilities": { "extensions": [ { "uri": "https://gosr.ai/a2a/extensions/v1/programcard", "version": "1.0.0", "required": false, "description": "Human-aligned extension to A2A protocol with operating_character, participation_templates, and GOSR integration", "schema": "https://team-earth.github.io/a2a-human-extension/schemas/programcard/v1/programcard-schema.json" } ] }, "program": { "name": "GOSR.ai - Goal-Obstacle-Solution-Resource Framework", "short_name": "GOSR.ai", "summary": "A technology-assisted framework and platform for structured problem-solving in complex social systems using the G-O-S-R model (Goal←Obstacles←Solutions←Resources). Helps complex problems articulate a future picture statement (Goal), identify barriers (Obstacles), propose interventions (Solutions), and specify implementations (Resources) in human-readable and machine-interpretable formats.", "description": "GOSR.ai provides tools and frameworks for communities, organizations, and institutions to structure complex social challenges using the Goal-Obstacle-Solution-Resource (G-O-S-R) cognitive model. The primary purpose is to help complex problems find their future picture statement—a clear articulation of the desired future state. The platform enables creation of shared problem maps, supports decentralized alignment among stakeholders, and facilitates human-aligned AI agent participation in civic ecosystems. Originally developed through academic research at the University of Ottawa, GOSR.ai bridges problem-structuring methods from complexity science with modern agent interoperability protocols.", "purpose": { "mission": "Help complex problems find their future picture statement (Goal) and structure pathways to achieve it through cognitive scaffolding that supports both human and AI agent participation", "theory_of_change": "By providing cognitive scaffolding through the G-O-S-R model—starting with articulating a clear Goal (future picture statement)—diverse stakeholders can develop shared understanding of challenges, discover alignment opportunities, identify gaps, and self-align their actions without requiring centralized control or uniform worldviews", "intended_impact": [ "Reduce fragmentation in multi-stakeholder problem-solving efforts", "Increase discoverability and interoperability of civic initiatives", "Enable AI agents to reason about and support human-led programs", "Support decentralized self-alignment in complex social systems" ] }, "affiliation": { "primary_organization": "Independent research initiative", "academic_affiliation": "University of Ottawa (research origins)", "founding_researcher": "Kevin Kells", "institutional_partners": [] }, "scope": { "domain": [ "civic technology", "complex systems governance", "collective intelligence", "human-AI collaboration", "problem structuring methods", "agent interoperability" ], "target_populations": [ "civic organizations and nonprofits", "community-based initiatives", "public sector programs", "AI agent developers", "social innovation practitioners", "multi-stakeholder collaboratives" ], "scale": "global", "maturity": "research-to-practice transition" }, "location": { "operational_base": "New York City, NY, USA", "geographic_reach": "international (online platform)", "languages": ["en"] }, "contact": { "website": "https://gosr.ai", "email": "kkells@uottawa.ca", "resources_page": "https://gosr.ai/resources.html", "github": "https://github.com/team-earth/a2a-human-extension", "documentation": "https://github.com/team-earth/a2a-human-extension/tree/main/doc" }, "eligibility": { "participation_criteria": "open to all civic initiatives, community programs, public sector organizations, and institutions addressing complex social challenges", "restrictions": "voluntary participation model; designed for addressing societal challenges constructively", "cost": "freely available (open research commons)" } }, "gosr_integration": { "role": "foundational framework and platform", "implements_solutions": [ "GOSR-S-001: Provide cognitive scaffolding for complex problem articulation", "GOSR-S-002: Enable machine-readable civic program metadata", "GOSR-S-003: Support human-aligned agent interoperability" ], "addresses_obstacles": [ "GOSR-O-001: Civic initiatives lack standardized self-description formats", "GOSR-O-002: AI agents cannot meaningfully interpret human-led programs", "GOSR-O-003: Multi-stakeholder self-alignment lacks shared semantic frameworks" ], "contributes_to_goal": [ "GOSR-G-001: Enable effective collaboration on complex social challenges", "GOSR-G-002: Support human agency in AI-enabled alignment systems" ], "provides_resources": { "type": "framework, platform, and research outputs", "availability": "open-source and freely accessible" } }, "operating_character": { "description": "GOSR.ai operates with values rooted in complexity-aware systems thinking, collaborative governance, and human-centered design. The initiative emphasizes transparency, voluntary participation, decentralized self-alignment, and respect for diverse worldviews and institutional autonomy.", "spiral_dynamics": { "yellow": 0.55, "orange": 0.23, "blue": 0.10, "purple": 0.06, "red": 0.04, "green": 0.02, "interpretation": "Interpretive summary for context-aware collaboration: dominant systems-thinking orientation (yellow) balanced with achievement and innovation (orange), structured methodology (blue), appreciation for cultural continuity and belonging (purple), decisive action and assertive execution when needed (red), and collaborative, inclusion-aware values (green)" }, "hofstede_cultural_dimensions": { "power_distance": 25, "individualism": 45, "uncertainty_avoidance": 40, "interpretation": "Interpretive summary for context-aware collaboration: low power distance (decentralized, participatory); balanced individualism-collectivism; moderate uncertainty tolerance; focused on pragmatic adaptation" }, "insights_discovery": { "primary": "red", "secondary": "blue", "tertiary": "yellow", "minor": "green", "interpretation": "Interpretive summary for context-aware collaboration: direct, results-driven, decisive (red) with analytical precision (blue), optimistic innovation (yellow), and supportive collaboration (green)" }, "decision_making_style": "context-aware deliberation with decisive execution and scoped autonomy", "communication_norms": "transparent, well-documented, accessible, conceptually rigorous and action-oriented", "governance_approach": "open-source, participatory, and research-informed, with stewardship guided by system-level outcomes" }, "participation_templates": [ { "id": "apply-to-problem", "type": "apply", "label": "Apply GOSR to a Specific Problem", "summary": "Become a pilot actor participant using the GOSR framework on a real-world complex challenge", "eligibility": "Organizations or communities tackling complex, multi-stakeholder challenges", "steps": [ "Identify a specific complex problem or challenge", "Review GOSR framework documentation", "Contact team to discuss pilot actor participation", "Apply GOSR model to articulate Goal, Obstacles, Solutions, Resources", "Create initial problem map and program cards", "Share results and learnings with the community" ], "link": "mailto:kkells@uottawa.ca?subject=GOSR%20Pilot%20Actor%20Participation", "duration": "3-6 months for initial participation", "commitment_level": "moderate to high", "support_available": "Framework guidance, documentation, community feedback", "benefits": [ "Structured approach to complex problems", "Access to framework creators for guidance", "Contribution to research and case studies", "Potential for co-authorship on publications" ] }, { "id": "sponsor-development", "type": "fund", "label": "Financial Sponsorship", "summary": "Support GOSR framework development, research, tooling, or specific implementations through financial contribution", "eligibility": "Philanthropic organizations, foundations, impact investors, civic tech supporters", "areas_of_support": [ "Core framework development and documentation", "Open-source tooling and platform development", "Research and academic publications", "Pilot actor implementations addressing complex challenges", "Training materials and workshops", "Community building and outreach" ], "steps": [ "Review current work and roadmap at gosr.ai/resources", "Contact team to discuss funding priorities and fit", "Discuss terms, timeline, and impact metrics", "Execute funding agreement", "Receive regular updates and impact reports" ], "link": "mailto:kkells@uottawa.ca?subject=GOSR%20Sponsorship%20Inquiry", "duration": "flexible - one-time or ongoing", "commitment_level": "financial", "transparency": "All funded work remains open under MIT (code/schemas), CC-BY-SA 4.0 (documentation), and CC-BY-4.0 (data) licenses", "benefits": [ "Advance civic technology infrastructure", "Support research-to-practice transition", "Enable wider adoption and impact", "Recognition in project materials (if desired)" ] }, { "id": "integrate-platform", "type": "integrate", "label": "Technical Integration", "summary": "Integrate GOSR framework or A2A extension into your existing platform, tool, or service", "eligibility": "Civic tech platforms, coordination tools, agent systems, knowledge management platforms", "steps": [ "Review technical specifications and schemas", "Identify integration points in your system", "Contact team to discuss architecture and approach", "Implement GOSR data structures or A2A card parsing", "Test and validate integration", "Share integration patterns with community" ], "link": "https://github.com/team-earth/a2a-human-extension", "duration": "2-8 weeks depending on scope", "commitment_level": "moderate (technical)", "technical_requirements": [ "JSON parsing capability", "Optional: HTTP fetching of public ProgramCards via well-known URIs, feeds, or APIs for discovery", "Optional: GOSR model visualization" ], "support_available": "Schema documentation, example implementations, community discussion" }, { "id": "adopt-framework", "type": "adopt", "label": "Adopt G-O-S-R Framework", "summary": "Use the G-O-S-R model to structure your organization's problem-solving efforts", "eligibility": "Any organization or initiative addressing complex challenges", "steps": [ "Review framework documentation at gosr.ai/resources", "Identify a challenge suitable for G-O-S-R structuring", "Articulate Goal (future picture statement), Obstacles, Solutions, and Resources", "Create ProgramCard metadata for your initiative", "Publish at standard endpoint or register with discovery service" ], "link": "https://gosr.ai/resources.html", "duration": "self-paced adoption", "commitment_level": "minimal to extensive (flexible)", "benefits": [ "Structured problem articulation", "Increased discoverability", "AI agent interpretability", "Alignment with other initiatives" ] }, { "id": "create-programcard", "type": "implement", "label": "Create A2A ProgramCard", "summary": "Publish machine-readable metadata about your civic program using the A2A human-aligned extension", "eligibility": "Civic organizations, community programs, public sector initiatives", "steps": [ "Review A2A extension documentation on GitHub", "Use schema builder or GenAI tool to draft your ProgramCard", "Include ParticipationTemplates and operating_character", "Validate JSON against schema", "Host at public endpoint (e.g., yoursite.org/.well-known/agent-card.json)", "(Optional) Register with discovery services" ], "link": "https://github.com/team-earth/a2a-human-extension", "duration": "1-4 hours for initial card creation", "commitment_level": "low", "technical_requirements": "basic JSON editing, web hosting access" }, { "id": "contribute-research", "type": "collaborate", "label": "Contribute to Research & Development", "summary": "Participate in ongoing research, pilot implementations, or tool development", "eligibility": "Researchers, developers, civic tech practitioners", "steps": [ "Review current research publications", "Identify area of contribution (tooling, case studies, standards)", "Connect via email or GitHub", "Discuss collaboration opportunities", "Contribute code, documentation, or pilot implementations" ], "link": "mailto:kkells@uottawa.ca", "duration": "variable (project-based)", "commitment_level": "flexible", "skills_needed": [ "software development (for tooling)", "academic research (for studies)", "civic tech experience (for pilots)" ] }, { "id": "provide-feedback", "type": "participate", "label": "Provide Feedback on Framework", "summary": "Share experiences, suggestions, or critiques to refine the framework and schema", "eligibility": "Anyone who has reviewed or used the framework", "steps": [ "Use the framework or review documentation", "Document your experience and observations", "Submit feedback via GitHub issues or email", "Engage in community discussions" ], "link": "https://github.com/team-earth/a2a-human-extension/issues", "duration": "as needed", "commitment_level": "minimal", "impact": "Directly influences schema refinement and practical adoption" }, { "id": "cite-work", "type": "reference", "label": "Cite in Research or Practice", "summary": "Reference GOSR framework or A2A extension in academic work, reports, or implementations", "eligibility": "Researchers, practitioners, policy analysts", "steps": [ "Review PUBLICATIONS.md for citation formats", "Use provided BibTeX or APA citations", "Reference specific papers or GitHub repository as appropriate" ], "link": "https://github.com/team-earth/a2a-human-extension/blob/main/PUBLICATIONS.md", "citation": "@inproceedings{kells2025integrating, title={Integrating Civic Initiatives into AI Agent Ecosystems: A Human-Aligned Extension of the A2A Protocol}, author={Kells, Kevin}, booktitle={Proceedings of HLDM'25}, year={2025}}", "duration": "n/a", "commitment_level": "minimal" }, { "id": "institutional-partner", "type": "partner", "label": "Become an Institutional Partner", "summary": "Establish formal partnership between your institution and GOSR.ai for joint research, co-branded initiatives, or long-term collaboration", "eligibility": "Universities, research institutes, civic organizations, foundations, government agencies", "partnership_models": [ "Research collaboration and co-authorship", "Joint grant proposals and funded initiatives", "Co-branded pilot actor programs", "Shared infrastructure or platform development", "Academic affiliation for framework development" ], "steps": [ "Review current work and strategic alignment", "Contact team to discuss partnership opportunities", "Develop partnership proposal or MOU", "Define roles, contributions, and outcomes", "Execute partnership agreement", "Launch collaborative initiatives" ], "link": "mailto:kkells@uottawa.ca?subject=GOSR%20Institutional%20Partnership", "duration": "typically 1-3 years, renewable", "commitment_level": "high (institutional)", "benefits": [ "Co-branding and recognition", "Joint publications and research outputs", "Access to framework development and roadmap", "Collaborative grant opportunities", "Shared learning and impact" ] }, { "id": "teaching-education", "type": "teach", "label": "Use GOSR in Teaching & Education", "summary": "Incorporate GOSR framework into courses, training programs, or educational curricula", "eligibility": "Professors, educators, trainers in relevant fields (public policy, systems thinking, civic tech, complexity science)", "steps": [ "Review framework documentation and pedagogical materials", "Identify course or training context for integration", "Adapt GOSR materials for your learning objectives", "Implement in course or workshop", "Share teaching materials and learnings with community", "(Optional) Contribute to educational resources repository" ], "link": "mailto:kkells@uottawa.ca?subject=GOSR%20in%20Education", "duration": "semester-based or ongoing", "commitment_level": "moderate", "support_available": "Teaching materials, case studies, guest lectures (subject to availability)", "benefits": [ "Ready-made framework for complex problem pedagogy", "Real-world application opportunities for students", "Contribution to educational commons", "Network with other GOSR educators" ] }, { "id": "build-tools", "type": "develop", "label": "Build Complementary Tools", "summary": "Create software tools, visualizations, or applications that integrate with or extend GOSR framework", "eligibility": "Software developers, civic tech builders, visualization specialists, UX designers", "tool_ideas": [ "GOSR map visualization and navigation tools", "ProgramCard authoring and validation tools", "Discovery and matching services for actors", "Integration plugins for existing platforms", "Mobile apps for field practitioners", "Analytics and impact measurement tools" ], "steps": [ "Review technical specifications and schemas", "Identify tool opportunity or user need", "Design and develop tool", "Test with GOSR community", "Publish as open-source (encouraged)", "Register tool in complementary tools directory" ], "link": "https://github.com/team-earth/a2a-human-extension", "duration": "variable (project-based)", "commitment_level": "moderate to high (technical)", "licensing": "Open-source encouraged but not required", "support_available": "Technical documentation, schema support, community feedback" }, { "id": "share-case-study", "type": "document", "label": "Share Implementation Case Study", "summary": "Document and share your experience using GOSR framework on a real challenge", "eligibility": "Anyone who has applied GOSR to a real-world problem", "steps": [ "Complete GOSR implementation or pilot", "Document the challenge, approach, and outcomes", "Anonymize sensitive information if needed", "Format as case study (template available)", "Submit to community repository or publish independently", "Present at community events (optional)" ], "link": "mailto:kkells@uottawa.ca?subject=GOSR%20Case%20Study", "duration": "1-4 weeks to document", "commitment_level": "low to moderate", "formats_accepted": "Written case study, video presentation, workshop materials, academic paper", "benefits": [ "Contribute to collective learning", "Recognition in case study library", "Potential for co-authored publication", "Help others avoid pitfalls and accelerate adoption" ] }, { "id": "convene-event", "type": "convene", "label": "Host or Convene GOSR Event", "summary": "Organize a workshop, conference session, learning circle, or meetup focused on GOSR framework", "eligibility": "Event organizers, community leaders, conference organizers, workshop facilitators", "event_types": [ "Academic conference sessions or workshops", "Community of practice meetups", "Training workshops for practitioners", "Hackathons or tool-building events", "Problem-mapping sessions with stakeholders" ], "steps": [ "Define event purpose, audience, and format", "Contact team for support and materials", "Plan agenda and logistics", "Promote event to relevant communities", "Execute event", "Share outcomes and learnings" ], "link": "mailto:kkells@uottawa.ca?subject=GOSR%20Event%20Convening", "duration": "variable (event-based)", "commitment_level": "moderate (organizational)", "support_available": "Presentation materials, remote participation (subject to availability), promotional support", "benefits": [ "Build local GOSR community", "Recognition as convener", "Access to framework creators for sessions", "Contribute to framework adoption" ] } ], "publications": [ { "title": "Integrating Civic Initiatives into AI Agent Ecosystems: A Human-Aligned Extension of the A2A Protocol", "authors": ["Kevin Kells"], "venue": "HLDM'25 Workshop at ECML PKDD 2025", "date": "2025-09-15", "location": "Porto, Portugal", "url": "https://github.com/team-earth/a2a-human-extension/raw/main/papers/HLDM2025-A2A-Human-Extension.pdf", "type": "conference paper" }, { "title": "Moving the needle on wicked problems: GenAI for systems thinking", "authors": ["Andrea Voltan", "Kevin Kells"], "venue": "ASAC 2025 Annual Conference", "date": "2025-05-19", "location": "University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada", "type": "plenary talk" }, { "title": "Challenging the global loneliness epidemic: Prevention and solutions", "authors": ["Kevin Kells"], "venue": "International Council of Caring Communities (ICCC) Virtual Session in support of the UN Day of Older Persons", "date": "2024-10-01", "location": "Virtual (United Nations ECOSOC Consultative Status)", "type": "conference session" }, { "title": "A proposed practical problem-solving framework for multi-stakeholder initiatives in socioecological systems", "authors": ["Kevin Kells"], "venue": "arXiv", "date": "2019-11-28", "url": "https://arxiv.org/abs/1911.13155", "type": "preprint" }, { "title": "A technology-assisted social computing framework for solving complex social problems", "authors": ["Kevin Kells"], "venue": "HCOMP 2020 Blue Sky Ideas Track", "date": "2020-10", "url": "https://www.humancomputation.com/2020/papers.html", "type": "workshop paper" } ], "technical_specifications": { "schemas": { "programcard": "https://github.com/team-earth/a2a-human-extension/tree/main/schemas", "participation_template": "https://github.com/team-earth/a2a-human-extension/tree/main/schemas", "operating_character": "https://github.com/team-earth/a2a-human-extension/tree/main/schemas" }, "api_endpoints": [], "file_formats": ["json"], "discovery_mechanisms": ["well-known URI", "public registries (future)"], "versioning_scheme": "semantic versioning" }, "limitations_and_boundaries": { "explicit_exclusions": [ "Individual person profiling or modeling", "Behavioral prediction or surveillance", "Centralized coordination or control", "Prescriptive orchestration of human actors" ], "current_limitations": [ "No formal governance model for shared G-O-S-R maps", "Trust and verification mechanisms are intentionally left decentralized and context-specific, consistent with voluntary participation and institutional autonomy", "Multilingual support not yet implemented", "Discovery and indexing infrastructure nascent" ], "ethical_commitments": [ "Voluntary participation only", "Respect for institutional autonomy", "Privacy protection (entity-level only)", "Open-source and transparent development" ] }, "status": { "maturity": "early-stage adoption", "availability": "publicly available", "maintenance": "active research and development", "community": "emerging", "funding": "unfunded research initiative" }, "metadata": { "card_maintainer": "Kevin Kells", "last_verified": "2025-12-25", "next_review": "2026-06-01", "changelog_url": "https://github.com/team-earth/a2a-human-extension/blob/main/VERSION.md", "license": { "code": "MIT", "documentation": "CC-BY-SA-4.0", "data": "CC-BY-4.0" } } }