In the world of artificial intelligence (AI), open-source models have been slowly but surely gaining ground. They have now become a legitimate threat to proprietary models owned by organizations like Google. In response to this growing competition, OpenAI is reportedly preparing to release an open-source AI model to the public.
On May 16, it was reported that the developers of AI chatbot ChatGPT were planning to join the open-source fray. This news came as pressure mounts from competing models, such as those leaked from Meta in February. While OpenAI’s open-source model may not be as sophisticated as its flagship product, the move is significant. It marks a visible shift towards more accessible and democratic AI development.
The Rise of Open-Source AI Models
Other AI firms have already taken the plunge into open-source territory. For instance, Stability AI opened its large language models in April, just a few days after Databricks open-sourced its Dolly 2.0 AI model. An AI firm, Together, even raised $20 million in seed funding backed by cryptocurrency figures to develop open-source generative AI models.
Also Read: RedPajama Completes First Step to Open-Source ChatGPT Alternative
Google’s Concerns Over Open-Source AI Models
The trend towards open-source AI models has caused concerns for some major tech players like Google. A leaked document from senior software engineer Luke Sernau revealed that open-source AI models are now a significant threat to the company’s own AI efforts. Sernau shared his concerns that Google was falling behind in an “arms race” with other firms focused on open-source AI development. He wrote that open-source models were faster, customizable, private, and pound-for-pound more capable than proprietary models.
Also Read: Google Afraid of Open-Source Community Outpacing Tech Giants in Language Model Race
OpenAI’s Response to Competition
OpenAI’s decision to release an open-source model could be a response to growing competition from other open-sourced AI models, including Meta’s LLaMa. Although initially restricted to researchers, a user entirely leaked the LLaMa on the imageboard site 4chan in late February. With more and more AI models going open-source, it’s important for firms like OpenAI to stay relevant and innovative.
The Benefits of Open-Source AI Models
One of the key benefits of open-source AI models is that they can be modified and improved by anyone who wishes to do so. This means that the contributors who work to improve the models are far more than those working for any specific organization. Moreover, open-source AI models can be customized to meet individual users’ specific needs.
Our Say
OpenAI’s move towards open-sourced AI models is a significant development in the world of artificial intelligence. As more AI models go open-source, it will be interesting to see how proprietary models fare in the long run. Anyway, democratizing AI development through open-source models is a positive step toward greater accessibility, inclusivity, and innovation in the field.
Sabreena Basheer is an architect-turned-writer who's passionate about documenting anything that interests her. She's currently exploring the world of AI and Data Science as a Content Manager at Analytics Vidhya.
