Human-in-the-Loop
Automation design that includes human review, approval, or intervention points for handling exceptions or validating AI decisions.
In-Depth Explanation
Human-in-the-Loop (HITL) is an automation design pattern where humans are involved at specific points in an otherwise automated process. This ensures quality, handles exceptions, and maintains appropriate oversight.
HITL scenarios:
- Approval workflows: Human sign-off required
- Exception handling: Escalation when rules fail
- AI validation: Review of AI decisions
- Quality checks: Sampling for accuracy
- Complex decisions: Beyond automation scope
Implementation patterns:
- Approval queues
- Exception workflows
- Confidence thresholds (low confidence → human)
- Sampling and auditing
- Escalation paths
Design considerations:
- When to involve humans (criteria)
- How to present context efficiently
- Response time expectations
- Training for reviewers
- Feedback loops for improvement
Business Context
HITL balances automation benefits with human judgement, essential for sensitive processes, regulatory compliance, and building trust in AI systems.
How Clever Ops Uses This
We design HITL workflows for Australian businesses, ensuring automation handles the routine while humans focus on exceptions and high-stakes decisions.
Example Use Case
"AI processing invoices automatically, but routing unusual amounts, new vendors, or low-confidence extractions to a human reviewer before payment."