***

id: 1b66ede0-c70b-47bb-8223-cf226dde29ff
title: AI Parameters
sidebar-title: AI Parameters
position: 5
slug: /python/guides/ai-parameters
max-toc-depth: 3
----------------

## AI Parameters

Tune conversation behavior with parameters for speech detection, timeouts, barge control, and AI model settings. For a complete parameter reference, see [AI Parameters Reference](/docs/agents-sdk/python/reference/ai-parameters-reference).

### Parameter Categories

| Category             | Key Parameters                            | Purpose                         |
| -------------------- | ----------------------------------------- | ------------------------------- |
| **Speech Detection** | `end_of_speech_timeout`, `energy_level`   | Control when speech ends        |
| **Timeouts**         | `attention_timeout`, `inactivity_timeout` | Handle silence and idle callers |
| **Barge Control**    | `barge_match_string`, `transparent_barge` | Manage interruptions            |
| **AI Model**         | `temperature`, `top_p`, `max_tokens`      | Tune response generation        |

### Setting Parameters

```python
from signalwire_agents import AgentBase


class MyAgent(AgentBase):
    def __init__(self):
        super().__init__(name="my-agent")
        self.add_language("English", "en-US", "rime.spore")

        # Set multiple parameters at once
        self.set_params({
            "end_of_speech_timeout": 600,
            "attention_timeout": 15000,
            "inactivity_timeout": 45000,
            "temperature": 0.5
        })
```

### Essential Parameters

#### Speech Detection

| Parameter               | Type | Default | Description                                       |
| ----------------------- | ---- | ------- | ------------------------------------------------- |
| `end_of_speech_timeout` | int  | 700     | Milliseconds of silence before speech is complete |
| `energy_level`          | int  | 52      | Minimum audio level in dB (0-100)                 |

```python
## Fast response - shorter silence detection
self.set_params({"end_of_speech_timeout": 400})

## Patient agent - longer silence tolerance
self.set_params({"end_of_speech_timeout": 1000})
```

#### Timeouts

| Parameter            | Type | Default | Description                                      |
| -------------------- | ---- | ------- | ------------------------------------------------ |
| `attention_timeout`  | int  | 5000    | Milliseconds before prompting idle caller        |
| `inactivity_timeout` | int  | 600000  | Milliseconds before ending call (10 min default) |

```python
## Quick service - prompt quickly if silent
self.set_params({
    "attention_timeout": 5000,    # "Are you there?" after 5 seconds
    "inactivity_timeout": 30000   # End call after 30 seconds
})

## Patient service - give caller time to think
self.set_params({
    "attention_timeout": 20000,   # Wait 20 seconds before prompting
    "inactivity_timeout": 60000   # Wait full minute before ending
})
```

#### Barge Control

Barge-in allows callers to interrupt the AI while it's speaking.

| Parameter            | Type | Default | Description                      |
| -------------------- | ---- | ------- | -------------------------------- |
| `barge_match_string` | str  | -       | Phrase required to trigger barge |
| `transparent_barge`  | bool | true    | Enable transparent barge mode    |

```python
## Require specific phrase to interrupt
self.set_params({
    "barge_match_string": "excuse me"
})
```

#### AI Model

| Parameter           | Type  | Default | Description                              |
| ------------------- | ----- | ------- | ---------------------------------------- |
| `temperature`       | float | 0.3     | Randomness (0-2, higher = more creative) |
| `top_p`             | float | 1.0     | Nucleus sampling threshold               |
| `max_tokens`        | int   | 256     | Maximum response length                  |
| `frequency_penalty` | float | 0.1     | Reduce repetitive phrases                |

```python
## Consistent responses (FAQ bot)
self.set_params({"temperature": 0.2})

## Creative responses (entertainment)
self.set_params({"temperature": 0.9})

## Balanced for customer service
self.set_params({
    "temperature": 0.5,
    "frequency_penalty": 0.3
})
```

### Use Case Presets

#### Customer Service

```python
self.set_params({
    "end_of_speech_timeout": 600,
    "attention_timeout": 12000,
    "inactivity_timeout": 45000,
    "temperature": 0.5
})
```

#### Technical Support

```python
self.set_params({
    "end_of_speech_timeout": 800,    # Patient for complex explanations
    "attention_timeout": 20000,
    "inactivity_timeout": 60000,
    "temperature": 0.3               # Precise responses
})
```

#### IVR Menu

```python
self.set_params({
    "end_of_speech_timeout": 400,    # Quick response
    "attention_timeout": 8000,
    "inactivity_timeout": 20000,
    "temperature": 0.2               # Very consistent
})
```

### Tuning Guide

#### If callers are...

| Problem                       | Solution                         |
| ----------------------------- | -------------------------------- |
| Being cut off mid-sentence    | Increase `end_of_speech_timeout` |
| Waiting too long for response | Decrease `end_of_speech_timeout` |
| Not hearing "Are you there?"  | Decrease `attention_timeout`     |
| Getting hung up on too fast   | Increase `inactivity_timeout`    |

#### If responses are...

| Problem                 | Solution                     |
| ----------------------- | ---------------------------- |
| Too repetitive          | Increase `frequency_penalty` |
| Too random/inconsistent | Decrease `temperature`       |
| Too predictable         | Increase `temperature`       |
| Too long                | Decrease `max_tokens`        |

### Complete Example

```python
#!/usr/bin/env python3
## configured_agent.py - Agent with AI parameters configured
from signalwire_agents import AgentBase


class ConfiguredAgent(AgentBase):
    def __init__(self):
        super().__init__(name="configured-agent")
        self.add_language("English", "en-US", "rime.spore")

        self.set_params({
            # Speech detection
            "end_of_speech_timeout": 600,

            # Timeouts
            "attention_timeout": 15000,
            "inactivity_timeout": 45000,

            # AI model
            "temperature": 0.5,
            "frequency_penalty": 0.2
        })

        self.prompt_add_section(
            "Role",
            "You are a helpful customer service agent."
        )


if __name__ == "__main__":
    agent = ConfiguredAgent()
    agent.run()
```

### More Parameters

For the complete list of all available parameters including:

* ASR configuration (diarization, smart formatting)
* Audio settings (volume, background music, hold music)
* Video parameters
* Advanced behavior controls
* SWAIG control parameters

See the **[AI Parameters Reference](/docs/agents-sdk/python/reference/ai-parameters-reference)** in the Appendix.