AI Glossary
Open-Source AI
AI models whose weights are publicly available
Definition
Open-source AI models release their weights publicly, allowing anyone to download, run, modify, and fine-tune them. Examples include Llama (Meta), Mistral, and Qwen. Open models enable local deployment (for privacy or cost), custom fine-tuning, and community innovation. They represent an alternative to closed API-only models and have become increasingly competitive with proprietary alternatives.