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Overfitting

As explained in Building Reliable AI Systems

A model-training outcome in which a model fits training examples too closely and generalizes poorly to new data.

Overfitting occurs when fine-tuning data overrepresents a subcategory, leading a model to learn that narrow pattern instead of responding broadly to varied inputs. section 5.3.1

Reduce the risk by preparing data that reflects the inputs the model will encounter:

  • Include varied question types, topics, problems, target classes, and output formats; avoid overrepresenting any one subcategory unless it reflects actual use. section 5.3.1
  • For a technical-support assistant, include varied issues such as login, billing, and how-to questions, alongside repeated questions when they reflect real customer use. section 5.3.1

How Building Reliable AI Systems covers it

How deep it goes
Recommends broad data coverage and balanced representation, without detailing model-level mechanisms.
Examples
Uses varied support issues, repeated customer questions, diverse conversation phrasings, and topics for style training.
What you can do after
Apply dataset-curation practices that broaden input coverage and limit overrepresentation of narrow subcategories.
How it connects
Connects overfitting to fine-tuning and training-data coverage.

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This explainer was generated by Manning's knowledge graph from the text of Building Reliable AI Systems. The section links point to the parts of the book it draws on.