AI agents need human oversight to avoid legal and operational risks

A California landlord has 21 days to return a security deposit or provide an itemized list of deductions after a tenant moves out, with penalties for non-compliance. Rick Folgmann, chief operating officer at Get Covered, highlights the need for human oversight in AI agents, drawing parallels to regulated roles. Get Covered operates 16 AI agents across 3 million rental units, emphasizing the importance of defined rules, scope, and management. Deloitte’s 2026 survey found 23% of companies use agentic AI now, with 74% planning to within two years. Gartner predicts over 40% of such projects will fail by year-end 2027 due to lack of governance. McKinsey’s research shows companies with significant AI returns redesigned workflows, starting with clear rules. Folgmann advises treating AI agents like employees, assigning managers to review performance and manage risk. Companies that fail to do so risk legal and operational issues in 2027.