Open AI models — a low-pressure first try

Try AI without an account or subscription

Perhaps you want to try AI without creating an account or paying for anything — or you have heard the term "open model" and wonder what it actually changes when you use it. In this guide, you will try one such service and see concretely what openness means in practice.

An open model usually means a model whose weights — the model's internal settings, which you can download — are released under terms of use. However, this does not automatically mean an open-source licence — a licence that meets precise, community-established openness requirements — free use, privacy or compatibility with your own device. A small model, in turn, is usually a lighter alternative to a larger model and may be suitable for a narrowly defined task.

Your first try in four steps

1. 1

   Open a well-known service in your browser

   In this guide, you will try Vibe, Mistral's web-based AI at chat.mistral.ai. It works directly in your browser and requires no installation. The same idea also works with other trusted services if you want to compare them.

2. 2

   Get ready to ask about open weights

   Some of Mistral's models have been released with open weights, for example under the Apache 2.0 licence — others are available only through this service. Next, you will ask Vibe directly what this means in practice.

3. 3

   Send the ready-made request

   Copy the request below into Vibe as it is. It asks for two sentences and one concrete example, so you know exactly what to look for in the answer.

4. 4

   Look for the example in the answer

   Check whether Vibe gave only a definition or also one practical example. You will examine this example more closely in the guide's Check and improve section.

Ask Vibe about Mistral's open models

What does it mean that some of Mistral's models have open weights, for example under the Apache 2.0 licence? Explain in two sentences and give one concrete example of what this lets an ordinary user do.

What openness changes in everyday use

You want to use AI at a holiday cottage or on a train with no internet connection.

A small business wants to build its own customer service bot using the same kind of language model that large services use.

You need AI for just one simple, recurring task, such as writing short summaries of emails.

Check and improve

Check the claim in your previous answer about the Apache 2.0 licence: exactly what does it allow and require, and how do you know? If you are unsure about any point, say so directly rather than guessing.

An effective check names exactly what the licence allows and requires — it does not simply repeat the first answer in the same words. If the second answer does not change at all or cannot justify the claim, it is not proof of accurate information: in that case, check the original source directly.

Compare an imaginary open model with a regular online service using these questions: what task do I need it for, where is the material processed, what does the licence allow, and what should I check before use? Do not recommend one option without the missing information.

Once you have mastered the basics

Next, you can explore how a model is used in an application, what the licence allows and when running it locally makes sense. If you first want a tool for ordinary everyday use, return to the guide on which AI is right for you.