When is normal automation better than an agent?

Question

I keep seeing teams add agents to workflows that were already predictable. Is there a simple way to decide when the flexibility is worth the extra cost and risk?

Answer

Keep the fixed path when the rules are knowable and exceptions are rare. Use an agent when the system must interpret changing evidence, choose between allowed next steps or recover from ambiguity. Autonomy should solve a real decision problem, not decorate a workflow.

When is normal automation better than an agent?

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