AI glossary · Agents and automation
Human in the loop (HITL)
Human in the loop means a person reviews, approves or corrects an AI system’s work at key points, instead of letting it act entirely on its own.
Also called human-in-the-loop
In more detail
It is a common safeguard for AI agents and for high-stakes decisions in areas like hiring, lending and healthcare. The AI does the heavy lifting; a person makes the final call.
It only works if the reviewer has the time, information and authority to say no. Rubber-stamping AI output is a sign of automation bias.
Example
An agent drafts refund emails, but a support lead approves each one before it is sent.
Related terms
AI agentAn AI agent is an AI system that works toward a goal on its own, planning steps, using tools like search or apps, and checking its progress along the way.Automation biasAutomation bias is the tendency to trust a computer’s answer more than we should, and to check it less carefully than we would a person’s.Responsible AIResponsible AI is the practice of building and using AI in ways that are safe, fair, transparent and accountable, with people kept in control.GuardrailsGuardrails are checks and limits built into an AI product to stop harmful, off-topic or unauthorised outputs and actions.
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