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LATHICAI Glossary

Agents & Agentic AI

Autonomy level

How much a system can choose and do without a person directing each step.

Example

An assistant can draft a message but needs approval to send it.

Why people use it

It clarifies how much freedom an AI helper has during a task.

What you'll hear

“It can prepare the order, but it can't pay.”

What this means for you

Define autonomy separately for low-impact and consequential actions.

Can you control it?

Sometimes

Sometimes. Your choices depend on the tool and your access. The settings available to an everyday user may differ from those available to the people running it.

Common questions

Is autonomy one fixed number for the entire system?
Not necessarily. It can differ by task, tool and consequence.
Can autonomy differ within one task?
Yes. An agent might search freely but need approval before sending a message or spending money.
Does more autonomy always save time?
No. Mistakes and recovery can outweigh the time saved by skipping human checks.

Related terms

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