Dictionary entry
batch inference
also offline inference or batch prediction or asynchronous inference
Definition of batch inference
-
: running a trained AI model on a collected group of inputs as a scheduled or asynchronous job when individual results do not need to be returned immediately
- The company used batch inference overnight to classify a million support tickets for the morning report.
- Interactive requests stayed on the real-time endpoint, while the weekly evaluation moved to batch prediction.
Two meanings, one word
In everyday English
A batch is a group of items handled together rather than one at a time.
In AI
Running a trained AI model on a collected group of inputs as a scheduled or asynchronous job when individual results do not need to be returned immediately.
Origin & history
Batch inference is an established production machine-learning pattern that contrasts with online or real-time inference. Modern language-model providers extended the pattern through batch APIs that accept large groups of independent prompts, process them asynchronously, and return results later.
Test yourself
Which of these is the meaning of batch inference?
Cite this entry
"Batch inference." AI Dictionary, Dadgogo, https://dadgogo.com/dictionary/batch-inference/. Accessed 12 Oct. 2026.