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What is temperature in AI?
Short answer
Temperature is a setting that controls how predictable or creative an AI model's answers are.
- Category Models
- Updated 20 Oct 2026
Temperature, explained simply
A low temperature makes the AI pick the most likely words. Answers are steady and similar each time.
A high temperature lets it take more chances. Answers are more varied, and sometimes stranger.
For facts and code, low is usually better. For brainstorming names or stories, higher can help.
On ITG Now, our free tool guides mention the temperature setting when a tool lets you adjust it.
Related terms
LLMHallucinationPromptInferenceAI model
Where you'll see it on ITG Now
Questions people ask about Temperature
What temperature should I use?
Use a low value for facts and code. Try a higher one for creative writing.
Does temperature change how smart the model is?
No. It changes how adventurous the word picks are, not what the model knows.