Glossary entry in Failure modes (why Ethotechnics exists). Definitions, checks, and evidence for Drift (System Drift).
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Quick takeaways
The tendency of systems to drift toward harm over time when incentives, data, or constraints shift.
Definition
The tendency of systems to drift toward harm over time when incentives, data, or constraints shift. Without protective friction and moral performance indicators, drift quietly erodes safeguards and accountability.
Copy citation (APA/BibTeX)
APA
Ethotechnics Institute Research Team. (2026). Drift (System Drift). Ethotechnics glossary. https://ethotechnics.org/glossary/drift
MLA
Ethotechnics Institute Research Team. "Drift (System Drift)." Ethotechnics glossary, 2026, https://ethotechnics.org/glossary/drift.
Chicago
Ethotechnics Institute Research Team. "Drift (System Drift)." Ethotechnics glossary. Jan 9, 2026. https://ethotechnics.org/glossary/drift.
BibTeX
@misc{glossary_drift,
title={Drift (System Drift)},
author={Ethotechnics Institute Research Team},
year={2026},
howpublished={Ethotechnics glossary},
url={https://ethotechnics.org/glossary/drift},
version={v1.1.0}
}
RIS
TY - WEB TI - Drift (System Drift) AU - Ethotechnics Institute Research Team PY - 2026 UR - https://ethotechnics.org/glossary/drift ER -