What to know

  • OpenAI is developing a free, downloadable AI model that is not restricted by an API.
  • The model may be able to call on OpenAI’s cloud-based models for help with complex questions.
  • This approach could make the open model more powerful than current open-source alternatives.
  • Details about pricing, usage limits, and final features are still uncertain.

OpenAI is preparing to release a new AI system that will be freely available for download. This marks a significant change from the company’s usual approach, where access to models is often limited by an API and requires payment. The new model is expected to launch in early summer and aims to outperform open models from companies like Meta and DeepSeek on certain benchmarks.

One of the most notable features under consideration is the ability for this open model to "hand off" complex queries to OpenAI’s more powerful cloud-based models. If integrated, this would allow the local model to request help from the cloud when it encounters questions that require more advanced reasoning or computational resources. This concept was discussed by OpenAI’s CEO, Sam Altman, during a recent meeting with developers from the open-source AI community.

The handoff feature would work by letting the open model make requests to the OpenAI API. This could give users access to the company’s larger models for tasks that the local model cannot handle on its own. However, it is not yet clear if the open model will be able to use all the tools available to OpenAI’s cloud models, such as web search or image creation.

OpenAI is building this new model from scratch rather than modifying an existing one. While it is expected to perform below OpenAI’s top-tier models, it should surpass DeepSeek’s R1 reasoning model on specific benchmarks. The company has been engaging with the developer community to refine the model and its features before launch.

There are still many unanswered questions about how the handoff feature will work, including possible costs and usage restrictions. The model is still in development, and some features may change before the official release. If successful, this approach could attract more developers to OpenAI’s ecosystem and generate additional revenue for the company, while also offering a more capable open-source AI tool to the public.

Via: TechCrunch