Several startups are relying on human workers to fill gaps when their software falls short of full automation. Companies including Dazzle, Duckbill and Wajo employ people to handle phone calls, customer interactions and other real-world tasks that their AI systems cannot yet perform reliably. This hybrid model allows startups to deliver functional services to customers while their technology continues to develop.
The approach reflects a practical reality in the AI industry: agents that appear fully automated often contain significant human labor behind the scenes. This raises questions about scalability, unit economics and the timeline for genuine autonomous AI systems.
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