Why AI Features Need Four Separate Flags, Not One Boolean Switch

AI features require more nuanced control mechanisms than traditional boolean feature flags, according to a software engineering analysis. A single on/off switch fails to address the multiple distinct failure modes unique to AI integrations, such as provider outages, prompt regressions, per-tenant data issues, and cost overruns. Engineers are advised to maintain four independent configuration axes: feature on/off, model selection, prompt version, and autonomy level, each managed by different stakeholders for different reasons. All four resolved values should be logged with every request to ensure behaviour is fully reconstructable after the fact. Teams are also urged to define a staged rollout and rollback plan before any user sees the feature, to avoid flags becoming permanently stuck at minimal exposure.