Techniques that facilitate improving an efficiency of a neural network are described. In one embodiment, a system is provided that comprises a memory that stores computer-executable components and a processor that executes computer-executable components stored in the memory. In one implementation, the computer-executable components comprise an initialization component that selects an initial value of an output limit, wherein the output limit indicates a range for an output of an activation function of a neural network. The computer-executable components further comprise a training component that modifies the initial value of the output limit during training to a second value of the output limit, the second value of the output limit being provided as a parameter to the activation function. The computer-executable components further comprise an activation function component that determines the output of the activation function based on the second value of the output limit as the parameter.