OpenAI had high hopes to release its much-anticipated open model at the start of summer, but CEO Sam Altman shared a new update that will keep the community waiting just a bit longer.
The open model, which Altman hinted now needs more time before a full unveiling, is set to debut after June.
He shared on X that the team’s research took an unexpected turn, delivering results he called “quite amazing,” although more time is needed to bring things together.
Earlier promises aimed for an early summer release but that timeline has shifted, heightening both curiosity and anticipation among AI watchers.
The model is said to rival top models with impressive reasoning skills, aiming to outperform others in this increasingly crowded arena.
Competition Heats Up in the Open AI Arena
Other labs aren’t standing still while OpenAI prepares its launch.
Mistral, a familiar name for open model releases, just pulled the covers off its Magistral series.
Meanwhile, Qwen, a powerful force in China, introduced hybrid models this spring that can alternate between deep thinking and lightning responses.
Industry chatter suggests OpenAI has big ambitions to beef up its open model, eyeing not just performance boosts but potentially powerful features.
There has even been talk about enabling deep connections between the new open release and OpenAI’s most advanced cloud models for difficult queries.
It remains a mystery if these innovations will survive the final cut.
The push to deliver a competitive open model carries more weight than ever for OpenAI.
Altman himself has admitted the company’s perceived reluctance to offer transparent models landed it in hot water with parts of the research and developer community.
This next move is seen as crucial in reshaping that narrative.
Elsewhere in the AI landscape, data storage startup Vast Data is chasing a surge in valuation that could see it more than double its worth this year.
Earlier in 2024, word spread that Vast Data was seeking a valuation around $25 billion, a huge leap from its $9 billion valuation just last December.
That deal is not finalized, and the company isn’t commenting, but several investors are reportedly watching closely.
Vast Data’s platform brings together storage, computing, and networking technology in one solution, aiming to simplify data management.
Instead of segmenting storage by use or cost, Vast focuses on a unified flash-centric approach.
AI developments have helped propel Vast’s business, with its platform handling all types of data from structured to unstructured. For more about trends and news on data storage innovation, see artificial intelligence industry updates and valuation surge for storage startups.
Names like Pixar and xAI use Vast’s systems, as do newer AI-focused cloud providers.
Growth has come quickly — CEO Renen Hallak recently shared that the company’s revenue has jumped by a multiple annually over the past few years.
Vast reported $200 million in recurring revenue 18 months ago, and it claims to be cash flow positive for four straight years.
Competition is fierce, with industry players like Pure Storage and Weka battling for market share.
Vast has already garnered serious backing from major venture firms, and its bold ambitions point to a busy year ahead as the AI world keeps evolving.
