# The Decoder: AI agents proposed up to 55% of methods in a 769-task model build, humans made 85%+ of calls

> The Decoder reports a 769-task study of building an AI model: agents proposed up to 55% of methods, but humans made over 85% of final decisions.

- **Topic**: Research
- **Published**: 2026-09-27T21:39:25.382Z
- **Canonical URL**: https://highsignal.sh/stories/the-decoder-ai-agents-proposed-up-to-55-of-methods-in-a-769-task-model-build-57a77b9d

## Why It Matters

A concrete data point on where agents actually sit in AI research workflows: heavy on generating candidate methods, light on deciding.

## Key Findings & Analysis

### What happened

A research team analyzed 769 task logs from building its own AI model, according to The Decoder. AI agents supplied up to 55 percent of method proposals, while humans made more than 85 percent of final decisions. A third of the tasks would not have been attempted without AI. The authors warn that more agent activity does not mean more autonomy.

## Primary Sources & Citations

- [AI agents do more of the work in model development, but humans still make the decisions](https://the-decoder.com/ai-agents-do-more-of-the-work-in-model-development-but-humans-still-make-the-decisions/) — *The Decoder* (Reporting)

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