---
id: "concept-reversibility"
type: "concept"
source_timestamps: ["00:17:46", "00:17:57"]
tags: ["risk-management"]
related: ["concept-guardrails-security-design", "concept-blast-radius"]
definition: "A risk metric evaluating whether the consequences of an AI agent's action can be undone after execution."
sources: ["s42-job-market-split"]
sourceVaultSlug: "s42-job-market-split"
originDay: 42
---
# Reversibility

## Definition

A risk assessment metric used inside [[concept-guardrails-security-design]] that evaluates **whether an AI's mistake can be undone**.

## Examples

- **Reversible**: an email draft can be reviewed and deleted before sending.
- **Irreversible**: an autonomous wire transfer that has already cleared.

## Architectural implication

Irreversible actions require **significantly higher authorization thresholds** and human-in-the-loop designs. Combined with [[concept-blast-radius]], reversibility forms the core of the risk-tier matrix that drives guardrail strictness.