Definition · operations
observation
observation is the term for Information an agent gets from its setting before or after it acts. You can spot observation in practice when the record shows what the system observes, what choice it makes, and what changes next, without asking the reader to guess or trust a slogan.
157 definitions656 sourced recordsNamed source: ACL Anthology
Why does observation matter?
The quality and timing of an observation shape the next choice, especially when the environment can change between steps. For observation, start with three checks: What signal proves the run worked? Can the run be replayed from its record? Which failure sends work back for repair? The answers should point to visible evidence, not a promise.
What does observation look like?
A browser agent receives the updated page title and result count after applying a filter. This example makes observation visible by naming the actor, the action, and the result in practice. It is an illustration for readers, not a claim that every product behaves this way.
What is observation easy to confuse with?
An observation is one received signal. Observation space is the full set of signals the agent may receive. The closest entries here are observability, observation space, AI agent. Compare their definitions with observation before using the names as if they mean the same thing. That comparison keeps observation separate from nearby ideas without pretending the boundary is always perfect.
How certain is this definition?
This definition is provisional. ACL Anthology supports the version you see today, but a better or more direct source may change it. Open the cited page and check its date before you use this entry to choose a product, write a policy, set a safety control, or design a system.
Who introduced the term observation?
We have not verified who first introduced observation. The source supports a useful definition, but it may not be the earliest use. Until a dated primary record settles the question, we leave the origin open. A popular article or product page is not enough to name the person who coined a term.
What should you understand before observation?
Read evaluation first when observation depends on a more basic idea or mechanism. The link gives you a useful route through the glossary. It does not mean every author teaches the subject in this order, so follow the source when the sequence matters.
What should this term help you answer?
Use observation to ask what an agent can observe, decide, change, remember, or hand off. The questions below turn the definition into a practical check. They are prompts for your own work, not claims made by the source, so change them to fit the system you are examining.
- What signal proves the run worked?
- Can the run be replayed from its record?
- Which failure sends work back for repair?
Which source supports this definition of observation?
ACL Anthology supports this working definition of observation. We checked the link on 2026-07-12. Open the original record for its context, methods, limits, and publication details. The short explanation here is a guide to observation; the linked source remains the evidence to inspect when the wording or boundary matters.
source foundobservationChecked 2026-07-12→