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Agent Observability

Definition

Agent observability is the ability to monitor, inspect, and understand how agents behave in production.

Observability includes tracking tool calls, errors, latency, completion rates, escalations, user feedback, hallucinations, failed workflows, and business outcomes. It helps teams understand whether an agent is working, failing, or quietly creating messes.

For SMBs, observability does not need to be overbuilt at first. But some visibility is essential. If you cannot see what the agent is doing, you cannot improve it. You are not operating a system. You are operating a haunted vending machine.

Related terms

AI Reliability

AI reliability is the degree to which an AI system performs consistently, accurately, and safely under real operating conditions.

Agent Evaluation

Agent evaluation is the process of testing and measuring whether agents perform tasks correctly, safely, and consistently.

Agent Permissions

Agent permissions define what data, tools, actions, and systems an AI agent is allowed to access or control.

Audit Trails for AI Agents

Audit trails for AI agents are logs that record what an agent did, what tools it used, what data it accessed, and what outputs it produced.