ANSWER
What does it mean to run an AI agent in parallel with the current system?
Reviewed .
Running an AI agent in parallel, or in shadow mode, means feeding it the same inputs as the current system while disabling production effects. Both outputs are compared and every variance is classified. This turns application cutover into an experiment with acceptance criteria defined in advance instead of a leap of faith.
Step by step
- Connect the same inputs with writes disabled.
- Define match criteria and the accountable approver.
- Cover a full process cycle and exceptions.
- Classify every variance.
- Cut over only after acceptance, with rollback and Brake ready.
How an agent does this
Parallel is one of AgenticosCore's four control products, alongside Trail, Brake and House Rules. It is mandatory for size G and every shadow execution remains auditable.
Frequently asked questions
Can the agent write to production during Parallel?
No. It produces comparable outputs without production effect until cutover is approved.
What if the test fails?
Then you do not cut over. That is a valid and useful result.
Primary sources
- AI RMF Core — NIST