Hidden Traps: Why 'Open' AI Model Licenses Are Deceptive
In the rapidly evolving world of cryptocurrency and blockchain, the concept of ‘open’ and ‘decentralized’ is paramount. But what happens when the ‘open’ label is applied to another groundbreaking technology like Artificial Intelligence? This week’s buzz around Google’s Gemma 3, touted as a family of open AI models, highlights a concerning trend: not all that is labeled ‘open’ truly empowers users, especially in the commercial sphere. Just as you scrutinize the fine print in crypto contracts, the licenses governing these AI models demand a closer look.
Concerns Over Licensing Terms
Google’s Gemma 3, celebrated for its efficiency, quickly faced scrutiny over its licensing terms. Developers flocked to X (formerly Twitter) to voice their concerns, pointing out that the license makes commercial AI use a risky endeavor. This isn’t an isolated incident. Meta, with its Llama models, also employs custom, non-standard licenses, creating a legal maze for businesses. Smaller companies, in particular, fear a potential ‘rug pull’ – a sudden enforcement of onerous clauses by tech giants like Google and Meta.
Custom Licenses vs. Open Source
Unlike standard open-source licenses like Apache and MIT, AI model developers often opt for proprietary licenses for specific reasons. Cohere, an AI startup, openly states its intention to support scientific research but limit commercial AI use. However, the licenses from Gemma and Meta’s Llama models go further, imposing restrictions that can deter businesses:
These restrictions extend beyond the original models. Derivatives of Llama and Gemma, even those trained on synthetically generated data, must adhere to the same licensing terms.
Genuine Empowerment Through Openness
Despite licensing hurdles, models like Llama have seen widespread adoption, even by major corporations like Spotify. However, Yacine Jernite from Hugging Face argues that their success could be even greater with truly permissive licenses. He urges providers like Google to embrace open license frameworks and collaborate with users on broadly accepted terms.
Fostering a Truly Open AI Ecosystem
The current state of AI model licenses is, as Vidal puts it, “riddled with confusion, restrictive terms, and misleading claims of openness.” Instead of redefining ‘open’ to suit corporate interests, the AI industry should genuinely embrace established open-source principles to foster a truly open and innovative AI ecosystem. Just as the crypto world champions decentralization and open access, the AI space needs to move beyond the illusion of openness and towards genuine empowerment for developers and businesses.
