Open-source AI model

An open-source AI model is one whose weights, the trained model itself, are published so anyone can download, run and modify it.

In practice: You can run it on your own servers or computer instead of sending data to an AI company. Terms vary: some are fully open, others are "open-weight" with limits on commercial use or on very large companies.

Why it matters when picking a tool

Running your own model gives you control over data and can be cheaper at high volume, but it takes technical work and hardware. For most teams, a tool that hosts an open model for you is the practical middle ground. Always read the licence before commercial use.