Fail-operational
A robustness design pattern in which a system continues to function at a reduced or degraded performance level when faults or anomalies are detected, rather than halting; contrasts with fail-stop; relevant for high-risk AI systems (e.g., vehicle safety systems) where a hard halt may itself create safety risk; the choice between fail-operational and fail-stop must be documented with a risk-based rationale in the Article 15(4) technical file.
Defined in 2 GAGE programs, which carry 2 distinct definitions of it. The wording above is taught in EU AI Act Implementation Expert.
How each discipline defines it
The same term does different work depending on who is using it. These are the definitions as each program teaches them, unedited.
A robustness design pattern in which a system continues to function at a reduced or degraded performance level when faults or anomalies are detected, rather than halting; contrasts with fail-stop; relevant for high-risk AI systems (e.g., vehicle safety systems) where a hard halt may itself create safety risk; the choice between fail-operational and fail-stop must be documented with a risk-based rationale in the Article 15(4) technical file.
A design principle in which a system, on failure, continues functioning in a reduced or backup mode rather than stopping, because an uncontrolled stop would itself be dangerous or unacceptable. Common in flight control systems and some medical robotics functions.
Where it is taught
The exact lessons this term appears in. The first 7 topics of every program are free with a free account.
- Accuracy, Robustness, and Cybersecurity (Article 15) · High-Risk AI Requirements: The Technical File, EU AI Act Implementation Expert
Terms it appears with
Not an alphabetical neighbourhood: these are the terms taught in the same lessons, ranked by how often they appear together.