Open models have real benefits. Do they outweigh the risks?
Key points
- Anthropic's report argues Z.ai's GLM-5.3, released in August, poses a major cyberattack risk because anyone can download and modify it.
- The top eight models on the Artificial Analysis LLM leaderboard are all closed, though open models reportedly trail by only a few months.
- A Mozilla report found open models typically cost less, and running them locally can keep sensitive business data on in-house hardware.
- Closed models get account shutdowns and misuse filters. Downloaded open models have none, and researchers reportedly found safety training easy to undo.
Why it matters for marketers: For marketing teams weighing AI tools, open models offer local control and lower costs, but fewer built-in misuse safeguards than closed services.
MIT Technology ReviewPolicy & safety