What is Fine-tuning?

Further training a model on your own examples so it adopts a specific style, format, or behavior — as opposed to RAG, which feeds it knowledge at query time.

How it works

Fine-tuning changes the weights; RAG changes the prompt. Reach for fine-tuning when you need consistent tone, format, or a narrow skill, and for RAG when you need current or private facts. Fine-tuning is the more expensive, less flexible tool.

Example

In practiceYou fine-tune a model on 500 examples of your company's support replies so it writes in your exact voice.

Fine-tune or RAG?

RAG for knowledge, fine-tuning for style and format. Most needs are RAG; fine-tune only when the behavior itself must change.

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