AI Glossary
Streaming
Understanding AI Terminology
Displaying AI responses word by word as they're generated rather than waiting for completion.
What It Means
Streaming is a response delivery method where the AI's output is sent to you incrementally as it's generated, rather than waiting for the complete response. This creates a more interactive experience, reduces perceived latency, and lets you start reading immediately. You can also stop generation early if you see the response isn't what you need, saving tokens.
Examples
- ChatGPT's typing effect is streaming
- Claude's real-time response display uses streaming
- API streaming uses Server-Sent Events
How This Applies to ARKA-AI
ARKA-AI uses streaming by default, showing responses as they're generated for a smoother, more responsive experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Streaming
Yes, you can stop generation at any time. This saves tokens since you only pay for what was generated, and lets you redirect if the response isn't useful.
Time to first token is the same, but streaming feels faster because you see content immediately instead of waiting for the full response.
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