Human-in-the-Loop (HITL)

A model in which a person intervenes in every relevant decision cycle before the system completes an action. The system may prepare a recommendation, draft, or classification, but the transaction, decision, or external effect depends on human confirmation.

HITL is appropriate when an error has high impact, the rule remains ambiguous, or accountability cannot be delegated. It reduces autonomy and increases cost, latency, and the risk of rubber-stamp approval. Putting an “approve” button in front of hundreds of decisions does not create effective control if the person lacks enough context to disagree.