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Welcome to the Viabl blog — where we explore the real-world impact of AI and software engineering on business efficiency, risk management, and product success. From practical frameworks to cautionary tales, these posts share lessons, strategies, and stories that help teams make smarter technology decisions. Whether you're building with AI or just starting to evaluate it, you’ll find actionable insights here.

Applying the Framework to AI Systems: The Good Pt 2

This week, we’ll continue to answer the question “Sure, Viabl’s AI framework makes sense…but why does it matter?”

As we saw last week, it matters because it can help you spot the AI ideas that are bound to succeed—and steer clear of the ones that could seriously hurt your business.

Viabl’s AI Framework


Applying the Framework to AI Systems

Last week we looked at Salesably’s AI Practice Studio and saw that it excelled at the first question: How could AI mess up, and what are the consequences? Salesably have developed a system that is incapable of messing up.

This week, we’ll look at another system that excels at placing a human in the loop as much as possible: Otter AI.


A Human-Centered AI System: Otter AI

Why It's So Helpful

If you’re like me, you have plenty of important meetings but no dedicated note-taker on your team. That makes it all too easy for key action items to slip through the cracks. Otter AI steps in to help by joining your virtual calls and offering these features:

  • A summary of the meeting

  • An outline of the meeting

  • A full transcript

  • Action items (our main focus here)

Let’s run this last item through the framework:

1. Can You Share the Data?

Most of the time, yes—you just need everyone’s permission before recording. I usually do this by asking up front and honoring their decision.

Tip: If you’re dealing with confidential info and the actual decision-maker isn’t on the call, I’d play it safe and skip using Otter.

2. What Happens If the AI Messes Up?

In most situations, it’s not a big deal. However, there are times when mistakes can really hurt your business.

  • Example: If Otter misses a critical action item in an important client meeting, you could damage that relationship—and possibly take a financial hit.

So while most slip-ups are minor, there are high-stakes situations where you’ll want to be extra careful.


3. Can You Put a Human in the Loop?

Absolutely—and that’s where Otter truly shines. You can involve a person at several points:

1. During the Meeting

  • Someone on your team can wrap up by confirming the action items out loud, e.g., “I’m going to do A, B, C, and D. Dave will handle X, Y, and Z. Betsy will work on E and F. Sound right?”

  • This not only helps the AI capture items more accurately but also ensures everyone’s on the same page.

2. Right After the Meeting

  • Check the action items Otter lists as soon as you can, while the conversation is still fresh in your mind.

3. In The Otter Dashboard

  • You can scan the outline or summary if you want to confirm you didn’t miss anything.

  • If you’re still unsure, read through the full transcript.

With these steps, you can add a human to the system at up to five different points.

4. If a Human Is in the Loop, Is It Obvious When the AI Messes Up?

Yes!

  • You were in the meeting, so you’ll likely remember at least some action items. Checking Otter’s list often jogs your memory if one is missing.

  • Skimming the summary to spot action items only takes a few seconds.

  • If something still seems off, you can scan the outline (usually around 200 words).

  • If you’re really unsure, reviewing the full transcript will clear things up.


Why Otter Is So Successful

Otter AI has taken off for good reason. Sure, it has a user-friendly interface and a clear value proposition—but at its core, it’s a smart use of generative AI. There are multiple ways to include a human in the loop, and it’s easy to catch and fix any mistakes the AI makes.

Overall, Otter AI demonstrates how well-designed AI tools can truly transform our workflows without causing headaches. It’s a win-win for busy teams who need to keep track of important details.


What’s Next?

In the next post, we’ll walk through some AI disasters and see where missteps could have been avoided.

Got a usage of AI you want us to examine? Comment below! I’d love to hear your ideas and help you figure out where AI fits best in your business.