Why I stopped measuring AI workflow validation by replies and started measuring it by real payloads

Most AI workflow s still optimize for “looks structured.” That is not the same as “won’t break downstream.” A response can look clean, JSON-shaped, and convincing - and still be the exact thing that causes manual rework, routing mistakes, compliance issues, or downstream breakage. That’s the gap I’m trying to pressure-test. What I’m testing I’m building a narrow evaluator surface for high-stakes AI workflows.