An AI system may classify a request, retrieve account context and draft an email automatically. Before sending the message or changing the account, it shows the proposed action, supporting evidence, uncertainty and reversible options to the responsible person.
Academy / Human approval in AI systems
Human approval in AI systems
Decide which actions can run automatically and where a person should review, approve or correct the result.
SHORT ANSWER
Human approval in AI systems
Put human approval at the consequence boundary: immediately before an action can affect a customer, money, permissions or an important record. Harmless preparation may run automatically; consequential execution should wait for an informed, accountable decision.
Approval fails when reviewers see too little context, receive too many low-value requests, cannot correct the proposal or are rewarded for clicking quickly. A button labelled “approve” is not meaningful control without ownership, evidence and a safe alternative.
List every action the proposed system could take. For each one, record consequence, reversibility, accountable owner and the information needed for approval. Automate only below the agreed threshold.
- Consequence boundary
- The point immediately before a system action can create a meaningful external effect.
- Escalation
- Sending an uncertain or exceptional case to a responsible person with its context intact.
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