Launch the language model that is a domain expert

SFT data is expert-authored prompt-response pairs that teach a model to follow instructions, apply domain knowledge, and match a preferred output style. Firstsource collects SFT data through its vetted SME bench (hundreds of domain experts spanning medicine, law, finance, coding, and engineering), using the Weave annotation platform for quality control and IAA scoring throughout delivery. Every pair is reviewed and accepted against the program’s domain quality bar before it enters the delivery set.

CoT data is expert-authored reasoning traces that show the model step-by-step how to work through a problem before arriving at an answer. It is most valuable for domains requiring multi-step reasoning (such as mathematics, corporate finance, clinical diagnosis, and complex legal analysis) where showing the reasoning path, not just the final answer, is what moves the benchmark. For simpler instruction-following tasks, SFT alone is typically sufficient. A program lead will help you determine the right mix based on your benchmark targets and domain complexity.

Fine-tuning data (SFT and CoT) teaches the model what to do by showing it expert examples. RLHF preference data teaches the model what the human prefers by ranking multiple model outputs against each other. Fine-tuning typically comes first, adapting the model to the target domain. RLHF follows, calibrating output quality, tone, and instruction adherence. Firstsource delivers both under the same program operating model, without changing vendors at the post-training stage.

Through the Gigsourcing Platform, a large vetted pool of contributors with hundreds of active domain SMEs across medicine, law, finance, software engineering, and science. For specialist domains, Firstsource validates credentials, runs qualification assessments, and uses IAA scoring to confirm expert-grade output quality before deploying contributors to production tasks. For highly regulated domains such as healthcare and finance, the SME bench includes credentialed practitioners with relevant professional qualifications.

Yes, as demonstrated on a hyperscaler SFT program delivering 20,000+ prompt-response pairs across five content categories and seven coding languages in three weeks at 0% error rate. Sub-48-hour program activation via the Gigsourcing Platform gets the SME bench deployed, tooling provisioned, and first pairs flowing within two business days of program sign-off. Timelines depend on domain complexity, volume, and language coverage; a program lead will confirm the delivery schedule during scoping.