You can't have everything. Fast, accurate, and context-aware? Pick two. Here's how to choose wisely.
The Three-Way Tradeoff
Speed
How fast does the system respond? Milliseconds matter for real-time interactions.
Accuracy
How often does it get the right answer? High-stakes decisions need high accuracy.
Context
How much does it know about the situation? More context = better decisions, but slower processing.
Real-World Examples
Fast + Accurate (Low Context): Simple routing rules. "If caller says 'billing', route to billing." Instant, correct, but no nuance.
Accurate + Contextual (Slow): Deep analysis of customer history before responding. Right answer, but takes 10 seconds.
Fast + Contextual (Lower Accuracy): Quick response using recent context, but might miss edge cases.
How to Choose
- • Customer-facing? Prioritize speed—people hate waiting
- • High-stakes decision? Prioritize accuracy—mistakes are expensive
- • Complex situation? Prioritize context—simple rules won't cut it
Know your constraints. Design accordingly.