OpenAI has launched two new artificial intelligence models that are available for free and can be customized by users. The introduction of the models, named gpt-oss-120b and gpt-oss-20b, aims to compete with similar offerings from both U.S. and Chinese companies. This strategic shift comes as the organization faces pressure to maintain transparency about its technology, adhering to its original nonprofit mission.
During a briefing, OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman emphasized the company’s commitment to ensuring that artificial general intelligence (AGI) benefits all of humanity. “Going back to when we started in 2015, OpenAI’s mission is to ensure AGI that benefits all of humanity,” he stated.
Details of the New AI Models
The newly released models are classified as “open-weight language models,” meaning that their trained parameters are publicly available. This openness allows users to fine-tune the models for specific tasks. According to OpenAI, these text-only models deliver strong performance at a low cost, making them suitable for tasks such as internet searching and executing computer code. The company has designed the models to be easily run on local computer systems.
OpenAI co-founder and president Greg Brockman noted the significance of this release, stating, “This is the first time that we’re releasing an open-weight model in language in a long time, and it’s really incredible.” The models have been engineered with safeguards to prevent misuse, reflecting OpenAI’s ongoing commitment to ethical AI development.
The significant launch comes as Meta promotes its own open-source AI approach, while the Chinese AI startup DeepSeek has made headlines with its high-performance, low-cost model featuring similar customization capabilities.
Collaborations and Future Aspirations
OpenAI is collaborating with partners such as French telecommunications giant Orange and cloud-based data platform Snowflake to explore real-world applications for its new models. Altman expressed optimism about the potential impact of this release, stating, “We are quite hopeful that this release will enable new kinds of research and the creation of new kinds of products.”
Earlier this year, Altman acknowledged that OpenAI had been “on the wrong side of history” regarding transparency in its operations. Following criticism from stakeholders, including co-founder Elon Musk, who has raised concerns about the organization’s direction, OpenAI reaffirmed its commitment to functioning as a nonprofit organization. The company has opted to establish a profit-generating arm under the supervision of its nonprofit board, aiming to balance funding needs with its foundational principles.
As OpenAI continues to navigate the rapidly evolving AI landscape, the release of its customizable models marks a pivotal moment in its strategy, reaffirming its dedication to innovation while addressing the ethical considerations of advanced technology.
