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Stanley's AI Systems Lab

AI Automation

This track focuses on reliable operating loops: the work that repeats, has clear inputs, and gets better when the boring parts are automated.

Search intent

Readers searching for AI automation tutorials usually want workflows they can implement without overbuilding a general agent.

Who this is for

Operators, founders, and product engineers automating support, research, reporting, CRM, or content operations.

Outcome

Design automations that run on clear triggers, validate inputs, escalate exceptions, and log enough context for review.

What you will build

A workflow map that separates fixed steps from model-assisted steps.
A trigger and validation checklist for recurring tasks.
An exception queue for missing inputs, low confidence, and risky actions.
A weekly metrics brief or inbox-to-action pipeline.

Curriculum

01

Choose automation before agency

Identify when fixed steps are enough and where AI should only handle classification, summarization, or drafting.

02

Map the trigger and happy path

Write down inputs, validations, outputs, retries, and exceptions before picking tools.

03

Add human review at the boundary

Route irreversible, expensive, public, or customer-facing actions to approval.

Proof payloads to create as you learn

The goal is not to read more AI takes. Build reusable artifacts that make the workflow inspectable, reviewable, and credible.

  • Automation spec with trigger, input schema, steps, exceptions, and owner.
  • Exception queue table for failed runs and repeated corrections.
  • Before and after workflow map showing removed handoffs.

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