What is ‘human-in-the-loop’?

Human-in-the-loop refers to system designs where human judgement is intentionally retained at specific points within an automated or AI-driven process.

Rather than fully removing people from decision-making, these systems are built so that humans review, guide, or intervene when certain conditions are met.

This might include approving outputs, resolving ambiguity, handling unusual or complex situations, or setting constraints that shape how the system operates.

In practice, human-in-the-loop is less about constant oversight and more about selective involvement. Most tasks are handled automatically, but humans step in when the stakes are higher, when context matters, or when values and trade-offs cannot be resolved by the system alone.

For example, in logistics, route planning and delivery schedules may be optimised automatically, while human operators step in to adjust plans when disruptions such as severe weather, vehicle breakdowns, or unexpected demand require judgement-based decisions.

As AI systems become more capable, the role of human-in-the-loop continues to evolve.

Increasingly, it functions as a governance mechanism rather than a fallback, helping organisations balance efficiency with accountability, judgement, and responsibility.

When designed well, it allows teams to benefit from automation while maintaining control over outcomes that matter.