Human-on-the-Loop

What it is

Human-on-the-loop (HOTL) means humans monitor AI systems without approving every action. The AI operates autonomously while humans watch for problems and intervene when needed. It's more autonomous than human-in-the-loop but maintains oversight capability.

Why it matters

HOTL enables more automation while retaining safety. It's appropriate when AI actions are lower-risk or easily reversible. Understanding the HITL/HOTL spectrum helps you design appropriate oversight for different tasks—tighter control for high-stakes actions, looser for routine work.