Plain English
Model
The trained AI system itself: the engine that takes your input and produces an answer.
The trained system at the heart of an AI tool, made of a vast set of learned numbers called weights. A chat app is the interface; the model is what does the work.
Why it matters
Assistants often let you choose between models: quick, cheaper ones for everyday tasks and slower, stronger ones for hard problems. Knowing which one you’re using explains differences in quality and cost.
At work
The same model can sit behind a chat app, your help desk and a spreadsheet add-on; what differs is the tool built around it.
Think of it like the engine in a car: the app is the dashboard and seats, the model is what makes it go.
Related terms
Where it appears