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What is an Open-Source Model?

An Open-Source Model is an AI model whose weights, source code, training data—or a detailed, auditable account of that data—and development tools are available for others to download, run, inspect, reproduce, modify, and improve. Unlike an open-weight model, it reveals more than the model’s learned parameters, enabling meaningful research, auditing, and accountability.


Open-Weight Models mentioned at Stanford HAI

What is an Open-Source Model? | Stanford HAI

Explore Similar Terms:

Open Source | Closed Source | Foundation Model

See Full List of Terms & Definitions

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Open-Weight Models Aren’t Enough. We Need Truly Open Source AI Models for Science and Society.
Shana Lynch
Aug 04
news
iceberg showing model weights at the tip and a lot of unknown and deep technology under the surface of the water

As Chinese AI closes the capability gap, Washington and Silicon Valley debate open-weight models. Stanford HAI's James Landay says it's the right conversation framed the wrong way.

Open-Weight Models Aren’t Enough. We Need Truly Open Source AI Models for Science and Society.

Shana Lynch
Aug 04

As Chinese AI closes the capability gap, Washington and Silicon Valley debate open-weight models. Stanford HAI's James Landay says it's the right conversation framed the wrong way.

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International Affairs, International Security, International Development
Regulation, Policy, Governance
iceberg showing model weights at the tip and a lot of unknown and deep technology under the surface of the water
news
How Disruptive Is DeepSeek? Stanford HAI Faculty Discuss China’s New Model
Vanessa Parli
Feb 13
news

How Disruptive Is DeepSeek? Stanford HAI Faculty Discuss China’s New Model

Vanessa Parli
Feb 13

Machine Learning
news