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What is Fine-tuning?
Fine-tuning is giving an already trained AI model extra practice on specific examples so it gets better at one job.
- Category Models
- Also called fine-tune, fine-tuned
- Updated 20 Oct 2026
Fine-tuning, explained simply
Starting a model from zero is very costly. Fine-tuning begins with a finished model and teaches it a bit more.
A company might fine-tune a model on its support chats so it answers in the company's style.
It is like a general doctor taking extra classes to become a specialist.
On ITG Now, some of our free tool guides cover tools that help you fine-tune a model on your own data.
Related terms
TrainingFoundation modelTraining dataModel weightsRAGAI model
Where you'll see it on ITG Now
Questions people ask about Fine-tuning
Fine-tuning vs RAG: what is the difference?
Fine-tuning changes the model itself. RAG leaves the model alone and hands it the right documents at question time.
Do I need fine-tuning for a chatbot?
Often not. A good prompt or RAG setup is simpler and cheaper to start with.