Glossary
AI orchestration: how multiple agents work together
AI orchestration is the coordination of multiple AI agents, models and tools so they work together as one system, deciding which component handles each step, in what order, and what happens when one fails. It is what turns several single-purpose agents into an end-to-end workflow. Orchestration can be fixed code, a model that plans, or a mix of both.
Featuring insights fromShaun Devan · Founder & CEOUpdated · 3 min read
Common orchestration patterns
| Pattern | How it works | Fits when |
|---|---|---|
| Pipeline | Each step hands to the next in a fixed order | The process is stable and well understood |
| Router | A classifier sends each case to the right agent | Inputs vary in type, such as endorsement kinds |
| Orchestrator and workers | One model plans and hands sub-tasks to others | Tasks vary and cannot be mapped in advance |
| Parallel | Several agents run at once and results are combined | Independent checks on the same case |
What the orchestration layer owns
- Passing state and context between agents.
- Retries, timeouts and fallbacks when a system or model fails.
- Routing to people when no agent should decide.
- One log across all agents, so a case can be traced end to end.
In practice
Native helped DKF Recruitment run four agents across the hiring lifecycle, from job posting through sourcing and outreach to interview booking, coordinated so a recruiter sees and approves the major decisions in one dashboard.
Sources
Frequently asked questions
What is AI agent orchestration?
It is the layer that coordinates several AI agents: routing work between them, passing context, handling failures and keeping one record of what happened.
Do I need an orchestration framework?
Not always. Many production systems orchestrate with plain code or a workflow tool, and add a planning model only where steps cannot be fixed in advance.
What is the difference between AI orchestration and automation?
Automation runs a fixed sequence. AI orchestration coordinates components that use judgement, deciding at run time which agent or tool handles each step.
