Definition

Inference is what happens when you use an AI model to get an output. After training, the model uses what it learned to predict or generate answers in real time. This is the "live" part—where prompts turn into outputs.

Example

“When you ask ChatGPT a question and it replies instantly, that’s inference.”

How It’s Used in AI

Inference powers everything from chatbot replies and search results to image generation and autonomous agents. Fast, low-cost inference is critical for deploying AI at scale in apps, websites, and businesses.

Brief History

Inference used to be slow and expensive. But thanks to GPU advances, fine-tuning, and model compression, it's now fast enough for real-time use—even on mobile devices and browsers.

Key Tools or Models

ONNX, TensorRT, and PyTorch for optimized model execution

Cloud APIs like OpenAI, Anthropic, and Mistral

Local deployment tools like GGUF, LM Studio, or Ollama

Pro Tip

Inference cost depends on model size and token length. Smaller, task-specific models are often cheaper and faster for basic tasks.