Mistral releases new AI model to challenge top competitors

French AI firm Mistral has launched a new, open-access artificial intelligence model, stating it can compete with the top systems developed by US and Chinese companies. The model, nicknamed "Le Chonk" and featuring one trillion parameters, is currently in preview and available for public use and customization. A final version is expected by the end of the month.

While designed to rival general-purpose AI models, "Le Chonk" is specifically optimized for coding and cyberdefense, as well as niche applications in manufacturing, finance, and electrical engineering.

"There are a lot of areas where the other labs will not focus that much," said Guillaume Lample, cofounder and chief scientist at Mistral, in comments to WIRED. "There are so many domains in which you can improve models."

The release comes amid heightened global competition for access to advanced AI technologies.