Proprietary generative AI models remain widely used, but IT leaders are increasingly trying smaller open models to better fit enterprise AI needs. Open-weight models can provide greater visibility and control over internal AI use than closed models, supporting governance and economic management. These models are free to download and use, and can be customized and deployed to meet organizational requirements, similar to how Linux can be modified. Open models are gaining traction as more use cases emerge, because open source flexibility enables applications that may be less trustworthy or less feasible with proprietary systems. Popular open models include Llama, Mistral, DeepSeek, and Minimax, and some proprietary providers have released open source variants such as Gemma, GPT-OSS, and Phi.
"Sometimes known as "open-weight models," the alternatives to large language models (LLMs) can provide decision-makers with better visibility and control over internal AI use, which closed models do not, analysts said. They can also help IT leaders control the economics and governance of AI within their organizations."
""It's almost like these blank canvases are available now and then you can paint it on your own," said Deepak Seth, senior director analyst at Gartner. "You don't have to make the canvas itself. So you're not starting from scratch, even when you're building your own model.""
"Open models are free to download and use. Users can tweak and deploy them to meet their own requirements, similar to the way Linux OS is available for anyone to download, tweak, and use."
""Open source is more flexible and can be used in ways that proprietary models ... in some cases can't be trusted to operate," Williams said. "Proprietary models are gaining in usage and traction faster than any technology we have ever seen and aren't showing any sign of slowing down," he said, stressing that open models' growing popularity should not be seen as simply a backlash to LLMs."
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