AI Agent Decision Framework: When to Use Agents
kashifmanzoor · x · 2026-08-20
The post proposes a decision framework for determining if an AI agent is needed, featuring four tests:
- Variability: Does the task require runtime judgment not enumerable in advance? If you can draw a flowchart, build the flowchart.
- Reversibility: Can the worst action be undone? Irreversible severe actions need human gates.
- Verification: Can success be checked cheaply? If verification needs a human expert, the agent is just a drafting tool.
- Economics: Does the task volume justify the total cost of ownership (reliability stack, evals, tracing, etc.)?
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