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> For a complete documentation index, see https://docs.sarvam.ai/llms.txt.
> For full documentation content in one file, see https://docs.sarvam.ai/llms-full.txt.
> For AI client integration (Claude Code, Cursor, etc.), connect to the MCP server at https://docs.sarvam.ai/_mcp/server.

# How to encourage new topics with `presence_penalty`

> Helps you steer the model toward introducing new concepts or topics.

The `presence_penalty` parameter helps you **steer the model toward introducing new concepts or topics**, instead of sticking to the same words.

* **Positive values** → penalize tokens that have already appeared → model becomes **more likely to explore new ideas**.
* **Negative values** → encourage staying on the same topic (rarely used).

### How it works:

* As the model generates text, it tracks which tokens have already been used.
* Higher `presence_penalty` nudges the model to **shift away from familiar tokens**, helping it bring in **new topics or angles**.

---

### Parameter details:

| Parameter          | Type   | Range       | Default |
| ------------------ | ------ | ----------- | ------- |
| `presence_penalty` | Double | -2.0 to 2.0 | 0.0     |

---

### When to use `presence_penalty`:

| Scenario                                       | Suggested Value |
| ---------------------------------------------- | --------------- |
| You want the model to introduce **new topics** | 0.5 to 1.0      |
| Avoid getting stuck on the same subject        | 0.5 to 1.0      |
| Brainstorming ideas                            | 1.0 to 1.5      |
| Writing **diverse, exploratory content**       | 0.5 to 1.5      |

First, install the SDK:

```bash
pip install -Uqq sarvamai
```

Then use the following Python code:

```python
from sarvamai import SarvamAI

# Initialize the SarvamAI client with your API key
client = SarvamAI(api_subscription_key="YOUR_SARVAM_API_KEY")

# Example: Encourage model to introduce new ideas
response = client.chat.completions(
    model="sarvam-105b",
    messages=[
        {"role": "system", "content": "You are a creative brainstorming assistant."},
        {"role": "user", "content": "Suggest some ideas for eco-friendly products."}
    ],
    presence_penalty=1.0  # Encourage exploration of new ideas
)

# Receive assistant's reply as output
print(response.choices[0].message.content)
```

> Helps you steer the model toward introducing new concepts or topics.