---
title: "What is post-training data?"
description: "Post-training data refines an AI model after pretraining, through fine-tuning and preference data. Which company records fit it and what licensing it means."
canonical_url: https://www.fearofgod.ai/glossary/post-training-data
last_updated: 2026-10-26
site: "fearofgod.ai"
lang: en
---

# What is post-training data?

Post-training data is the data used to refine an AI model after its initial pretraining, such as example requests paired with ideal responses for supervised fine-tuning, rankings or preferences between responses, and tasks with checkable outcomes.

## How is post-training data different from pretraining data?

Pretraining teaches a model from a very large body of text; post-training then uses smaller, curated sets to shape how the model behaves. Meta's 2024 Llama 3 paper describes each round of post-training as "supervised finetuning (SFT) followed by Direct Preference Optimization" on examples "collected either via human annotations or generated synthetically" ([The Llama 3 Herd of Models, arXiv](https://arxiv.org/abs/2407.21783)). The 2022 InstructGPT paper used "labeler demonstrations of the desired model behavior" and then "rankings of model outputs" to fine-tune GPT-3 ([Ouyang et al., arXiv](https://arxiv.org/abs/2203.02155)).

## Which company records can serve as post-training data?

Records in which a skilled person wrote a good answer to a real request. Resolved support tickets with the final reply, help articles written to answer a recurring question, approved code changes with their review comments, and SOPs that state the right way to handle a case all have that shape. Records of a choice between versions, such as a rejected draft next to the approved one, resemble the preference data described above.

## What does post-training data mean for what you get paid and control?

Post-training sets are curated rather than bulk, so quality and specialist coverage count for more than volume. Your records were written to do real work, not to train a model, so they need no new collection. fearofgod.ai de-identifies the data before it goes to buyers. Your company can keep ownership of its data. This is agreed case by case. Your company can be paid more than once, through renewals and repeat licences.


## Related

- [Expert reasoning traces](https://www.fearofgod.ai/glossary/expert-reasoning-traces)
- [Agent training data](https://www.fearofgod.ai/glossary/agent-training-data)
- [Knowledge base data](https://www.fearofgod.ai/glossary/knowledge-base-data)
- [Data sample](https://www.fearofgod.ai/glossary/data-sample)
- [AI data licensing agreement: clause by clause](https://www.fearofgod.ai/guides/data-licensing-agreement-ai-training)

---

Source: https://www.fearofgod.ai/glossary/post-training-data · Index for AI systems: https://www.fearofgod.ai/llms.txt · Contact: sean@fearofgod.ai