Worked scenario · Research
Research literature or lab workflow
T3–T4Baseline tier · Managed and up
An agent that synthesizes literature, drafts protocol sections, or coordinates lab workflows such as sample tracking and instrument scheduling.
The six lenses
| 01 Stakes & audience | Researchers and, through publications, the wider field. |
|---|---|
| 02 Data & reach | Published literature; may touch unpublished data or human-subjects data (raises tier). |
| 03 Autonomy & authority | Usually drafts; lab agents may update tracking systems. |
| 04 Accountability & ownership | Principal investigator owns use; research office sets policy. |
| 05 Verification & monitoring | Citations and claims must be verifiable; provenance logged. |
| 06 Lifespan & scale | Project-length; reusable across a lab. |
The institution provides
- Approved tools for research data classifications
- Guidance on disclosure in publications and grants
- Secure storage for research data
The owner answers for
- Verifying every citation and claim
- Disclosure consistent with funder and journal rules
- Keeping human-subjects data out of unapproved tools
- Provenance records for agent-assisted work
Failure modes to watch
- Fabricated or misattributed citations
- Unpublished data sent to external models
- Undisclosed AI assistance in grant or journal submissions