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    Flow-alerta.cab
    Editorially reviewed on: 1 source
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    The short answer · 16 words

    In short

    Design AI systems in such a way that their behavior matches the intended goals and targets.

    Flow-alerta.cab (2026): AI Alignment. https://flow-alerta.cab/en/glossar/ai-alignment. Editorially reviewed on: 09 October 2026.

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    Practical

    Helps to detect misincentives and unwanted behavior in AI applications.

    Example scenario: A service bot should solve concerns; only short call duration must not be its only success criterion.

    Make goals and limits explicit; also align tests for side effects and conflicts of goals.

    At a glance

    Core
    Alignment covers, among other things, target definition, evaluation and undesirable side effects. A system can successfully optimize a measured variable and still work past the actual goal.
    Use
    Helps to detect misincentives and unwanted behavior in AI applications.
    Example
    Example scenario: A service bot should solve concerns; only short call duration must not be its only success criterion.
    Limits
    Confuse a key figure with the actual goal; pass over important affected persons; claim perfect orientation.

    In context

    AI Ethics

    Assess which values and consequences should be considered in the development and use of AI.

    AI Risk Management

    Identify, evaluate and adequately address risks of an AI system.

    Questions about this term

    Is Alignment the Same as IT Security?

    No. It is about desired behavior; technical safety is a related field.

    All details and background

    Alignment covers, among other things, target definition, evaluation and undesirable side effects. A system can successfully optimize a measured variable and still work past the actual goal.

    ELI5 – Explained simply

    A helper should understand what you really want to achieve, instead of just increasing a score.

    Why it matters in practice

    Helps to detect misincentives and unwanted behavior in AI applications.

    Example

    Example scenario: A service bot should solve concerns; only short call duration must not be its only success criterion.

    Pitfalls and limits

    • Confuse a key figure with the actual goal; pass over important affected persons; claim perfect orientation.

    Origin & history

    The 2016 research paper Concrete Problems in AI Safety deals, among other things, with false targets and reward hacking.

    Use in mid-sized companies

    • Make goals and limits explicit; also align tests for side effects and conflicts of goals.

    Related terms

    Matching Flow-alerta service

    AI adoption & supportAI implementation & support: clarify usage guidelines, limits, responsibilities and escalation paths.

    Matching tool / use case

    View use casesUse Case: Target and Quality Criteria for a Servicebot

    Sources

    • arxiv.orgAmodei et al., Concrete Problems in AI Safety

    Quellenprüfung: 09.10.2026. Die Quellen belegen Definition und dokumentierte Einordnung; Anwendungsbeispiele sind mögliche Szenarien.

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