The short answer
Give agents the narrowest permissions that allow the workflow to finish, and make escalation explicit when more access is needed.
Permissions are product design. They define which actions an agent can take without asking and which moments require a person.
Use read access before write access, and draft actions before irreversible ones. A narrow permission set is easier to explain and easier to revoke.
When more access is needed, show the requested action and the reason. Permission prompts should help people decide, not simply block them.
A useful note, once a week
Make room for better signal.
About the author
Maya writes about the systems, people, and practical choices shaping the next generation of AI products.
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One thoughtful note on AI, agents, and AGI. No noise.
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