Term
Human-agent handoff
Plain-language definition
A controlled transfer of work or control between a human and an AI system.
Technical definition
A protocol-defined transition in which autonomy advances, pauses, escalates, or returns to a human according to risk, uncertainty, and accountability rules.
Evidence status
Design Principle
Why it matters
Handoffs preserve agency in adaptive workflows.
Example
A system asks a clinician to review a recommendation before action.
Related terms
Related frameworks
Sources or further reading
- NIST AI Risk Management Framework
- NIST AI RMF Playbook
- UNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence
- Google Search Central: helpful, reliable, people-first content
- Schema.org DefinedTerm