docICS
Interaction Compute Second: A universal metric for quantifying interaction complexity
The Interaction Compute Second (ICS) is a standardized unit that measures the complexity of interactions across any operational domain over time. One ICS represents a baseline unit of interaction complexity, calibrated against reference implementations and benchmark scenarios.
Blankstate AI created ICS and releases it as an open standard for global adoption. ICS has been proven through operational deployment across diverse professional contexts over more than a decade of development.
Key Principles
ICS is freely available for global adoption. Any organization can measure and report ICS scores using methods appropriate to their domain.
ICS measures interaction complexity across all domains—professional services, governance, healthcare, finance, education, legal, and technology systems (including AI).
ICS uses three observable dimensions (Pattern Expectedness, Impact Magnitude, Contextual Novelty) measurable through standard operational data and statistical methods.
ICS framework remains stable for regulatory predictability, but calculation methods evolve based on evidence and observed behavior.
The Three Dimensions of ICS
Measures how consistently the system behaves relative to established baselines. Higher PE indicates more predictable, consistent behavior.
Quantifies the real-world significance of interaction outcomes. Considers decision consequences, user effects, and system state changes.
Measures the degree to which current behavior deviates from historical norms. Uses z-score analysis to detect anomalies and drift.
The ICS score aggregates the three dimensions with domain-specific weights:
Where α, β, γ are domain-specific weights (summing to 1), and the result is typically scaled to a 0-10 display range: ICS_display = ICS(t) × 10
AI Governance
α=0.4, β=0.4, γ=0.2
Balances predictability and impact
Healthcare
α=0.5, β=0.3, γ=0.2
Prioritizes predictability for safety
Financial Services
α=0.3, β=0.5, γ=0.2
Maximizes impact awareness
What ICS Measures and Predicts
Computational Requirements
Predict the computational resources needed for processing complex interactions
Time Costs
Estimate time requirements for interaction analysis based on complexity
Resource Allocation
Optimize expertise deployment based on measured interaction demands
Pricing Models
Fair, transparent pricing based on interaction complexity rather than arbitrary metrics
While ICS is an open standard that any organization can implement, Blankstate offers the most advanced implementation through our interaction engine infrastructure. We transform operational data into structured interactions that can be measured for the three ICS dimensions.
Protocol-Based Framework
Define what interactions matter in your domain through configurable "Protocols"—sensors that detect specific interaction patterns
Proven Methodology
ICS measurement at scale across domains—healthcare, finance, legal, AI governance, and professional services
All processing within the Blankstate ecosystem is measured in ICS. This provides transparent, predictable billing based on actual interaction complexity rather than arbitrary time units.
Standard Analysis
1 ICS
per second
Generative Tasks
5 ICS
per second
Base Rate
£0.003
per ICS
ICS represents a paradigm shift in how we measure and govern complex systems. Whether you're implementing ICS independently or using Blankstate's interaction engine, the open standard provides a foundation for transparent, predictable measurement of interaction complexity.