Tech firms up ante on open-source AI models

Broader access to various smart tools seen as key to boosting sector development

Chinese companies are doubling down on open-source artificial intelligence-powered models as part of a broader push to bring fast-evolving AI technology to more businesses and developers worldwide, and bolster its application in a diverse range of fields.

Experts said the open-source approach will lower the threshold for the development and application of AI, greatly reduce computing power costs, and foster the sharing of AI tech around the world, as well as boost collaboration and innovation.

The recent progress in open-source large language models has showcased China's growing technological prowess and open attitude in the AI domain, given that Chinese AI startup DeepSeek's open-source models have taken the world by surprise, they added.