The article argues that AI governance is often misunderstood as 'alignment' with values or principles, which is insufficient. True governance requires structural boundaries embedded in the system's architecture, not just moral layers. Without these constraints, systems can technically function correctly while violating accountability and traceability.

The author emphasizes that governance must be a property of the design itself; if a system can operate outside its intended boundaries, governance is merely decorative. This perspective is crucial for developers and architects building complex AI systems, as it shifts focus from abstract ethics to concrete technical implementation. It highlights that any unconstrained element in a system will eventually be optimized or delegated away, leading to a dissolution of responsibility.

Therefore, the key question isn't about alignment, but whether the system is physically incapable of crossing its boundaries.