Amplify: Chat Interface

Using the Chat Interface: Start a new conversation

Amplify's chat interface allows you to choose various AI models, select certain AI settings, and attach files to a conversation. In this article, we will review:

1. The chat interface
2. How to choose a model and AI settings
   1. Custom instructions
   2. Temperature
   3. Response length
3. How to add files to a conversation
4. How to connect an AI Assistant to a conversation

Select a Model

1. Navigate to the "Model" dropdown in the center panel, and choose from the available models.  Amplify supports a variety of models for different use cases. AI models may change over time.
2. For more tips on what model is best for what tasks you can hover your cursor over each option to read a short description.

Custom Instructions

Custom instructions in AI refer to predefined guidelines or parameters that shape how an AI system behaves, responds to user inputs, and processes information.  You can keep it Default, or use specialized assistants like the PowerPoint Assistant or Visualization Assistant to tailor responses to your needs.

Temperature & Response Length

When starting a new conversation in Amplify, you can adjust the Temperature and Response Length settings to control how the AI generates responses.

• Temperature (0.0 – 1.0): Controls creativity and randomness. Higher values (e.g., 0.8) increase randomness, while lower values (e.g., 0.2) make outputs more deterministic. The default is set to 1.0 for balanced behavior.
• Response Length (0.0 – 6.0): Adjusts how concise or verbose the model's responses are. Higher values allow for longer responses, with the default set to 3.0 for average length.

File Upload: Adding Existing & New Files

In Amplify, you can upload files to provide context or data for the AI to analyze and better integrate relevant materials into your conversations. There are two options:

• Add New Media: 
  • Click on the Add button in the chat or task window to upload files to Amplify.
  • Select the files from your device. Amplify supports various formats, including .pdf, .docx, .csv, and more.
• Add Existing Media:
  • You can access and reuse previously uploaded files.
  • You can also use the available filter options to sort by Name, Created Date, or Type for easily finding the document that you want to use.
  • The AI can reference the contents of uploaded files to enhance its responses.

Adding An Assistant

You can add a pre-made AI assistant to enhance your chat experience.

• For more information about how to create an assistant please refer to the Creating An Assistant section.

Message Input & Sending Your Message

Once you have your setting where you want them you can type your message into the chat box at the bottom of the screen. When you are done you can hit the send button to submit it to the AI.

Questions or Issues?

For any questions or issues related to Amplify, please submit a ticket by selecting the Report Issue button found on the Amplify GenAI Issue page located in the ITS service catalog, under Teaching, Learning, & Research.

Acknowledgement

Initial documentation structure, text, and images were provided by the Amplify open source GitHub repository (Vanderbilt, 2025, and 40AU), and parts have been modified by Carleton College.