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What's the difference between evaluating a model and evaluating the product around it, and why do you need both?

A model that scores 92% on your eval can still ship a product users hate, because the model is one component in a system. Teams that only do model evals get blindsided. Here is the distinction that matters.

Updated Aug 2026 · Grounded in real Applied AI Engineer interview loops and written to a senior-engineer editorial bar.

A model that scores 92% on your eval can still ship a product users hate, because the model is one component in a system. Teams that only do model evals get blindsided. Here is the distinction that matters.

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