Dictionary term
Guardrails
Agentic AIIntermediate
Rules, checks, and constraints placed around an AI system to keep its inputs and outputs safe, on-policy, and within allowed actions.
In plain English
Safety checks around an AI that stop it from accepting harmful requests, saying the wrong thing, or taking actions it shouldn't.
Analogy
Like bumpers in a bowling lane that keep the ball out of the gutter.
Why it matters
Guardrails prevent an automated agent from sending bad messages or taking unsafe actions on your clients' accounts.
In practice
Blocking an agent from sending any SMS that contains profanity or an unapproved discount.
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Sources
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