MODEL_ID
A unique identifier for a specific version or configuration of a machine learning model.
A MODEL_ID is like a specific version number for an AI model. When AI models are updated or changed, they get a new ID so developers know exactly which version they are using. This is important for consistency and reliability.
For example, imagine you are using an AI to write emails. If the AI company updates the model, they might give it a new MODEL_ID. This way, you can choose to keep using the older, familiar version or switch to the new one, knowing precisely what you are getting.
A MODEL_ID is a unique string or code that designates a specific, immutable snapshot of a trained machine learning model. This identifier ensures reproducibility by referencing a fixed set of weights and configurations, preventing unexpected behavior due to underlying model updates. Companies often use dateless IDs for stable APIs, allowing developers to rely on a consistent model performance over time.
Model IDs are becoming more important as AI providers offer more specialized versions of their models. Companies like Anthropic are focusing on stable, dateless IDs for consistency, while Google Gemini updates its documentation to reflect specific model usage in its API examples. This highlights a trend towards clearer model management for developers.
- Gemini API Cookbook: fix(notebooks): restore specialized default models in Get_started_transcribe and Sketch2Paint (#1409)Google · Gemini API Cookbook ·
- Model IDs and versioningAnthropic · Model Overview ·
- Gemini API Cookbook: fix: Update MODEL_ID and modality params in Live API tools notebook (#1311)Google · Gemini API Cookbook ·
- Anthropic Claude
- Anthropic uses dateless model IDs for its Claude models to ensure a fixed and unchanging model snapshot for stability.
- Google Gemini
- Google Gemini's API documentation and code examples are being updated to correctly use specific model IDs for improved developer learning and API tool functionality.
- Model Name
- A model name is a general identifier for a family of models, like 'C
- API Endpoint
- An API endpoint is a URL that an application uses to communicate w
- Configuration
- A configuration refers to settings that control a model's behavio
The concept of unique identifiers for specific software versions, including machine learning models, is standard practice in software engineering. Specific implementations and naming conventions vary by company.
Go to the API documentation for a service like OpenAI, Anthropic, or Google AI. Look for examples of how to specify which model to use in an API call. You will see a string that represents the MODEL_ID, such as 'gpt-4o' or 'claude-3-opus-20240229'.
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Questions people ask
- Why do AI models need specific IDs?
- Specific MODEL_IDs ensure that developers and users are always using the exact same version of an AI model, which is crucial for consistent results and reliable applications.
- Can I use any MODEL_ID?
- You can only use MODEL_IDs that the AI provider makes available through their API. The provider determines which versions are accessible and what their corresponding IDs are.
First seen on Subvolts Aug 13, 2026. Updated Oct 14, 2026. Written by an AI model from the items above and reviewed against them weekly; report an error.

