Why ChatGPT is Not Open Source: A Deep Dive

Published On Sat May 13 2023
Why ChatGPT is Not Open Source: A Deep Dive

Is ChatGPT open source? No, here’s why

If you are wondering whether ChatGPT, a language model developed by OpenAI, is open source, we have the answer for you. The source code of ChatGPT is owned by OpenAI, which means that it is not open source. ChatGPT is built on top of OpenAI’s GPT-3 language module, which is also not open source. This means that AI developers cannot modify the GPT-3 language module to fit their specific needs or incorporate it into their own projects.

OpenAI does offer the GPT-3 API, which is a packaged and moderated version of the language model’s capabilities. Developers can use the API to take advantage of GPT-3’s features, although they only have access to documentation and not the original source code.

Despite its success and popularity, GPT-3 is not open source, which has raised questions among some in the tech community, including Elon Musk.

OpenAI was once a non-profit organization that released its projects as open source. Still, it has recently shifted towards providing paid services through APIs, in order to ensure core competitiveness and improve profitability. The enormous computing costs associated with ChatGPT are why it cannot be free of charge.

According to Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, the cost of running ChatGPT is “eye-watering.” ChatGPT has quickly gained popularity, with over one million users trying out the chatbot in just five days after its release.

Given these costs, OpenAI has already launched an upgrade to a premium feature in order to offset the significant expenses associated with its development and operation. While OpenAI has been known to be open to sharing technology and open research results through open-source projects, the organization has started to shift towards providing paid services through APIs.

Why ChatGPT is no longer open source

OpenAI was once a non-profit organization that released its projects as open source, but it has recently shifted towards providing paid services through APIs to improve profitability. The enormous computing costs associated with ChatGPT are why it cannot be free of charge. According to Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, the cost of running ChatGPT is “eye-watering.”

The GPT-3 API

OpenAI offers the GPT-3 API, which is a packaged and moderated version of the language model’s capabilities. Developers can use the API to take advantage of GPT-3’s features, although they only have access to documentation and not the original source code.

Comparison between GPT-2 and GPT-3

GPT-2 and GPT-3 are two different large-scale language models. While both models have their unique features, GPT-3 is generally considered more advanced, with better accuracy, faster training speed, and the ability to handle more complex tasks.

ChatGPT, the latest trained model

ChatGPT is the latest trained model based on GPT-3.5, which is designed to provide a more user-friendly experience for users. ChatGPT is available in multiple countries and offers users an incredible free experience, but the company shifted to a more profit-focused model.

Elon Musk and his “Maximum Truth-Seeking AI”

Elon Musk has recently stated he wishes to return to the AI stage with what he calls a “Maximum Truth-Seeking AI.” His initial plans with OpenAI were all about an open-source attempt at counterweighting Google’s AI efforts. Whether or not his new plan will also be created in a similar fashion is too early to say, but it looks promising.

Is ChatGPT open source? No, here’s why - Conclusion

ChatGPT is not open source, as the source code is owned by OpenAI. OpenAI was once a non-profit organization that released its projects as open source, but it has since become a company that retains ownership of its codebase. Although OpenAI does offer the GPT-3 API, which is a packaged and moderated version of the language model’s capabilities, developers can only use the API to take advantage of GPT-3’s features and have no access to the original source code.