Prompting & Interaction
Temperature
A setting that controls how creative or random an AI's outputs are.
Definition
Temperature is a numerical parameter (typically 0 to 1 or 0 to 2) that controls the randomness of an AI's output. At low temperatures (close to 0), the model consistently picks the most likely next token, producing predictable, conservative responses. At high temperatures, it samples more broadly from lower-probability options, producing more varied, creative, and occasionally surprising output. For factual business tasks, low temperature is usually preferred; for creative tasks, a higher temperature may be appropriate.
Why this matters for your business
For AI deployed in customer-facing or compliance-sensitive roles, set temperature close to zero to minimise variance and unexpected outputs. For creative applications like copywriting, a higher temperature may improve quality.
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Disclaimer
This definition is provided for educational and informational purposes only. It represents a general explanation of a technical concept and does not constitute professional, technical, or investment advice. Artificial intelligence is a rapidly evolving field; terminology, techniques, and capabilities change frequently. Coaley Peak Ltd makes no warranty as to the accuracy, completeness, or currency of the information provided. Nothing on this page should be relied upon as the sole basis for commercial, technical, legal, or investment decisions without independent professional advice.
Document reference: ISO_webpage_knowledge-base_glossary_v1
Last modified: 29 March 2026
Knowledge Base·Prompting & Interaction·Temperature