Plain English
Human in the loop
A person reviews or approves the AI’s work at set points, especially before anything is sent, paid or deleted.
A design where a person checks, edits or approves what an AI produces at the points that matter, such as before an email is sent or a payment is made.
Why it matters
It’s how you get AI’s speed without handing over accountability. Design the pause so it actually happens: who approves, what they see and what happens if nobody does.
At work
Your inbox assistant drafts replies, but a person clicks Send.
Think of it like a second signature on a big check: the work gets done, but nothing goes out until someone responsible has looked.
Related terms
Where it appears