GUARDIAN FOUNDATIONS CERTIFICATE
The Entry Point to the Guardian Profession
The Problem
AI systems increasingly engage human emotions — detecting feelings, simulating care, responding to distress. But who ensures these systems protect rather than exploit?
Regulation is emerging. Documented harms are mounting. And there is no independent profession trained to assess whether emotional AI systems meet constitutional standards for human emotional protection.
Until now.
What Is a Guardian?
HEART Guardians are independent professionals who assess AI systems against the HEART Framework’s constitutional standards for emotional AI governance.
Full Guardian certification authorizes practitioners to:
- Conduct Functional Empathy Theorem (FET) assessments
- Issue HEART Validator Code (HVC) certifications
- Monitor system compliance over time
- Provide expert testimony and regulatory guidance
The Guardian Foundations Certificate is the first step on that path.
Guardian Foundations Certificate
A 20-hour program establishing baseline comprehension of:
- Empathy Systems Theory — The scientific foundation positioning empathy as biological infrastructure
- AI Empathy Ethics — The emerging field addressing emotional AI governance
- HEART Constitutional Architecture — Seven Axioms, Four Core Principles, and NES Framework
This is not full Guardian certification. This is the foundation that makes full certification possible.
Program Structure
| Week | Focus | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Empathy Systems Theory | 5 |
| 2 | AI Empathy Ethics Field | 5 |
| 3 | HEART Constitutional Architecture | 6 |
| 4 | Integration & Examination | 4 |
Format:
- 12 hours asynchronous (video, readings, exercises)
- 6 hours live sessions (weekly 90-minute group calls)
- 2-hour proctored examination
Total commitment: 5 hours/week for 4 weeks
What You'll Learn
Week 1: Empathy Systems Theory
Why empathy is biological infrastructure, not learned skill. The C-A-E-I architecture. How empathy infrastructure damage manifests. Why this matters for AI.
Week 2: AI Empathy Ethics
How this field differs from affective computing, emotion AI, and general AI ethics. Documented harms and their mechanisms. The regulatory landscape taking shape.
Week 3: HEART Constitutional Architecture
The Seven Axioms — inviolable principles governing emotional AI. The Four Core Principles — operational translation. The NES Framework — preventing empathic misallocation.
Week 4: Integration & Examination
Synthesizing the framework. Demonstrating comprehension. Preparing for the Guardian path ahead.
What This Credential Authorizes
Holders CAN:
- Represent themselves as “HEART Guardian Foundations” certified
- Participate in the Guardian professional community
- Assist certified Guardians in assessment preparation
- Educate others about HEART Framework principles
- Priority enrollment in full Guardian Certification Program
Holders CANNOT (yet):
- Conduct official FET assessments
- Issue HVC certifications
- Practice as independent Guardians
Guardian Foundations is prerequisite for full certification — not a substitute for it.
Who This Is For
We’re not looking for a specific credential or professional background.
We’re looking for conviction.
You might be:
- A therapist who has seen clients harmed by emotional AI
- An AI practitioner uncomfortable with what’s being built
- A veteran who understands what happens when emotional systems fail
- An ethicist who wants enforcement mechanisms, not just principles
- Someone who has experienced empathic misallocation personally
What you need:
- Deep understanding of why human emotional protection matters
- Willingness to engage seriously with complex material
- Commitment to 5 hours/week for 4 weeks
- English fluency (reading and writing)
The first cohort will be small. The selection is based on fit, not competition.
Cohort 1: Pilot Program
Cohort size: 10-15 participants
Investment:
- Standard: $1,800
- Early commitment (first 5): $1,500
- Sponsored seats available (application required)
Includes:
- All course materials
- Four live sessions with framework originator
- Examination and certification
- Guardian community access
- Priority enrollment in full Guardian program
Application
Applications for Cohort 1 will open following the January 26, 2026 publication of the HEART Framework.
Application includes:
- Basic information (name, location, background)
- Statement of interest (250-500 words): Why does human emotional protection matter to you?
- Commitment acknowledgment
We review applications for alignment with the Guardian mission, not competitive ranking.
To be notified when applications open:
📧 Email: dylan@empathyethicist.ai | Subject: “Guardian Foundations Interest”
The Path Forward
Guardian Foundations Certificate (20 hours)
↓
Full Guardian Certification Program (120 hours + practicum)
↓
Specialized Guardian Tracks (Mental Health, Healthcare, Crisis, etc.)
↓
Senior Guardian (3+ years practice)
The Guardian profession is being built. Cohort 1 shapes what it becomes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this a job? Not directly. Guardian Foundations provides training and credential. How you use it — independent practice, organizational role, consulting — is up to you. Full Guardian certification opens professional practice pathways.
Do I need a clinical or technical background? No. We seek diverse perspectives. What matters is conviction about the mission and capacity to engage with the material.
What if I can’t afford the investment? Sponsored seats are available for those with financial hardship. Indicate this in your application.
When does Cohort 1 start? Dates will be announced following the January 26th publication. Expect Q1-Q2 2026.
What’s the time commitment? 5 hours/week for 4 weeks. Live sessions are scheduled to accommodate working professionals.
Is this accredited? Guardian Foundations is a professional certificate issued by the HEART Framework originator. As the Guardian profession develops, formal accreditation pathways will emerge.