Hugging Face Releases Its Own Version of ChatGPT: HuggingChat
Hugging Face, the AI startup backed by extensive venture capital, has recently released an open-source alternative to OpenAI’s AI-powered chatbot ChatGPT. It is named HuggingChat, and it is capable of performing the same tasks as ChatGPT, such as writing code, drafting emails, and even composing rap lyrics. HuggingChat can be tested through its web interface and integrated with existing apps and services through Hugging Face’s API.
The AI model behind HuggingChat was developed by Open Assistant. The organization aims to replicate ChatGPT, and its broader objectives include building an assistant of the future capable of performing meaningful work, using APIs, conducting dynamic research, and much more. According to Open Assistant’s GitHub page, it wants to do all this in a way that is open and accessible, which means the assistant must not only be great but also small and efficient enough to run on consumer hardware.
Despite its capabilities, HuggingChat can derail quickly, as is the case with all text-generating models. It can be wishy-washy on various issues, such as who won the 2020 U.S. presidential election; however, Hugging Face acknowledges this fact in the fine print. The organization has also implemented filters that prevent HuggingChat from answering questions that can promote toxic behavior.
Other open-source alternatives to ChatGPT are emerging, such as Stability AI’s StableLM, which was recently released. Some researchers criticize the release of open-source models for fear that they could be used for malicious purposes, such as creating phishing emails. However, others argue that gatekept commercial models, like ChatGPT, are also flawed and exploitable, despite their filters and moderation systems.
Regardless of these debates, it is evident that the open-source push is not slowing down.
