Meta launches open source AI model

Llama 2 is the latest version of Meta’s large language model (LLM) and builds on the original release of Llama for the research community earlier this year, adding performance and safeguards.

Meta states on its website: “We believe an open approach is the right one for the development of today’s AI models, especially those in the generative space where the technology is rapidly advancing.

“By making AI models available openly, they can benefit everyone. Giving businesses, startups, entrepreneurs, and researchers access to tools developed at a scale that would be challenging to build themselves, backed by computing power they might not otherwise access, will open up a world of opportunities for them to experiment, innovate in exciting ways, and ultimately benefit from economically and socially.”

Opening access to these AI models will mean that a generation of developers and researchers can stress test them, identifying and solving problems fast, as a community. By seeing how these tools are used by others, Meta’s own teams can learn from them, improve the tools and fix vulnerabilities.

Llama 2 is now available free of charge for research and commercial use. This will include model weights and starting code for the pretrained model and conversational fine-tuned versions too.

Meta is also expanding its partnership with Microsoft. As Satya Nadella said on stage at Microsoft Inspire: “We’re taking our partnership to the next level with Microsoft as our preferred partner for Llama 2 and expanding our efforts in generative AI.

“Llama 2 is available in the Azure AI model catalogue, enabling developers using Microsoft Azure to build with it and leverage their Cloud-native tools for content filtering and safety features. It is also optimised to run locally on Windows, giving developers a seamless workflow as they bring generative AI experiences to customers across different platforms.

“Llama 2 is available through Amazon Web Services (AWS), Hugging Face, and other providers too.”

With this partnership, Meta and Microsoft are supporting an open approach to provide increased access to foundational AI technologies to the benefits of businesses globally.

Meta also has a broad range of diverse supporters around the world who believe in this approach too. These companies have given Meta early feedback and are excited to build new products with Llama 2.

“Recent breakthroughs in AI, and generative AI in particular, have captured the public’s imagination and demonstrated what those developing these technologies have long known – they have the potential to help people do incredible things, create a new era of economic and social opportunities, and give individuals, creators, and businesses new ways to express themselves and connect with people,” said Meta.