AI-System Checklist

Describe a system from evidence before deciding which AI labels apply.

For AI Foundations learners · Printable PDF · 2 pages · Also available online below

Use this checklist when a product is called AI, smart, intelligent, generative, or agentic.

Describe it

• What is the goal?
• What goes into the system?
• What method does it use?
• What does it produce or do?
• What can change because of the result?

Use TRACE

• Task: What work does it do?
• Result: What does it produce or change?
• Actual method: Which rules, models, search tools, or actions are proven?
• Controls: What access limits, approval, review, logs, and stop rules exist?
• Evidence gap: What important fact is missing?

Name the parts supported by facts

• Fixed rules or calculation.
• Search or retrieval.
• Machine learning.
• Deep learning.
• Generative AI.
• Tool-using system.
• AI agent.
• A system with several combined parts.
• Human-reviewed system.
• Not enough information.

Check your reasoning

• I did not trust the product name.
• I did not treat human-like words as proof.
• I did not assume machine learning because the system is fast or useful.
• I did not assume prediction because the result shows a future date.
• I did not assume that every tool-using system is an agent.
• I checked whether human review is real and useful.

Final answer

Best description:

Facts that support it:

Important missing fact:

What would change my answer: