Continuous monitoring of LLMs: why and how to monitor AI in production

Introduction

Implementing a “Debugging Playbook” for large language model (LLM) failures is essential due to the dynamic and complex nature of these systems in production. Unlike traditional software, LLMs may degrade in quality or exhibit behavioral drift in real conditions even if initially performing well at deployment. This playbook provides a structured approach to identify, diagnose, and resolve such issues effectively.

Step 1: Prevention and preparation (upfront evaluation)

Effective debugging starts well before deployment. Rigorous upfront evaluation lays a solid foundation and minimizes future problems.

• Thorough evaluation of capabilities, alignment, and security:

• Mastering prompts (“Own your prompts”):

• Continuous integration, evaluation, and deployment (CI/CE/CD):

Step 2: Continuous problem detection (production monitoring)

Once deployed, monitoring acts as a “thermometer” signaling issues as soon as they arise.

• Monitoring setup:

• Metrics to track:

• Automated alerts and thresholds:

• User feedback collection:

Step 3: In-depth failure diagnosis

After detecting an issue, the next step is understanding its cause.

• Analyze alerts and metrics:

• Investigate drifts:

• Review qualitative feedback:

• Analyze prompts and control flow:

• Use AI as judge (with caution):

Step 4: Resolution and iterative improvement

Once root causes are identified, corrective actions must follow.

• Model re-evaluation and recalibration:

• Prompt optimization:

• Virtuous cycle of improvement:

Conclusion: The importance of a holistic approach

Debugging LLM failures is not a one-time event but an ongoing iterative process embedded within a holistic framework of AI system quality, reliability, and security. Combining rigorous upfront evaluation with proactive production monitoring ensures sustained control and performance. This comprehensive end-to-end approach, from testing bench to deployment, is key to building performant, responsible, and durable AI.