temperature

Temperature is a dial on many AI models that controls randomness. Set it low and the model plays it safe, picking the most likely next word, which gives consistent, repeatable answers. Set it high and it takes more chances, which gives more variety and creativity but also more mistakes.

It is one of the few knobs ordinary users sometimes get to touch. Newer models increasingly hide it or drop it, deciding that a sensible default serves most people better than a setting they have to understand.