Human in the loop
Human in the loop means a person reviews, approves or can override an AI system's output before it takes effect. It is a basic safeguard for decisions about people and for AI agents that act in the world.
In one line, for a 12-year-old
Human in the loop means a real person checks the AI's work before anything happens.
An example
An AI drafts replies to benefit applicants, but a caseworker reads and signs every one before it is sent.
Why it matters to people
Oversight only works if the human has the time, information and authority to disagree. A rubber stamp is not a safeguard.