Agentic workflow
A process combining AI-assisted decisions and tool actions, with fixed checks and variable paths through the work.
How is an agentic workflow structured?
An agentic workflow connects steps in which AI evaluates information, selects next actions or requests tools. The label is used for processes with different degrees of predefined structure. To assess a system, it matters which paths are programmed in advance and where a model makes decisions during execution. A fixed sequence of summarising and then translating offers a different scope for decisions from a process in which the model selects further steps based on intermediate results.
In a fictional product-return process, a model chooses whether to query a purchase record first or request a missing receipt. It uses the results to prepare a decision brief. The application requires a responsible employee to decide on the refund before money is returned. Variable processing cannot bypass that approval. The team also defines when unsuccessful queries must stop and what information a handover must include. The process can then be checked with cases involving missing receipts, conflicting information or an unavailable service.
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Related terms
- AI agentAn AI system that selects its next steps within defined limits and uses tool results to guide further work.
- Human-in-the-loopHuman-in-the-loop actively involves people in an automated process. Useful review requires understandable information and ways to intervene.
- Function callingA language model requests a described function with structured arguments; the connected application executes it.
- LLM evaluationLLM evaluation tests model outputs against defined tasks and criteria. One good example does not establish overall quality.
- AI guardrailsGuardrails constrain and check AI application behaviour. Model instructions and technical enforcement perform different tasks.
- Model cardA model card documents an AI model’s purpose, foundations, evaluation conditions and known limitations for a particular version.
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