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Autonomy

nounverified·updated May 18, 2026

A system’s level of independence from human involvement and ability to operate without human intervention. [Different AI systems have different levels of autonomy.] An autonomous system has a set of learning, adaptive and analytical capabilities to respond to situations that were not pre-programmed or anticipated (i.e., decision-based responses) prior to system deployment. Autonomous or semi-autonomous AI systems can be characterised as "human-in-the-loop", "human-on-the-loop", or "human-out-of-the loop" systems depending on their level of meaningful involvement of human beings.

Framework senses

EU-U.S. Terminology and Taxonomy for Artificial Intelligence - Second Edition1 senseview framework →
§1
A system’s level of independence from human involvement and ability to operate without human intervention. [Different AI systems have different levels of autonomy.] An autonomous system has a set of learning, adaptive and analytical capabilities to respond to situations that were not pre-programmed or anticipated (i.e., decision-based responses) prior to system deployment. Autonomous or semi-autonomous AI systems can be characterised as "human-in-the-loop", "human-on-the-loop", or "human-out-of-the loop" systems depending on their level of meaningful involvement of human beings.
Wordset Dictionary2 sensesview framework →
§1
immunity from arbitrary exercise of authority: political independence
§2
personal independence