In AI, openness and decentralization are key, but the question of open licenses for AI models like Google Gemma 3 brings concerns.
Openness and AI Licenses
Licenses of models like Google Gemma 3 have faced criticism due to commercial use restrictions, drawing parallels with similar issues in the crypto industry. Companies voice concerns over complex licenses that could lead to unexpected changes in usage conditions.
Why Aren't AI Models Open?
Unlike standard licenses such as Apache or MIT, many AI models use proprietary licenses that restrict commercial use. Meta's Llama 3 license prohibits using model outputs for enhancing other models, and Google's Gemma license allows the company to restrict model use for policy violations.
Impact on the AI Ecosystem
Complex licenses create barriers for integrating models into products, posing legal and financial burdens for businesses. Companies often avoid such models due to fears of complex legal terms that could result in legal conflicts.
For the AI ecosystem to thrive, a shift towards more open and understandable licenses is needed, allowing companies to freely utilize and enhance capabilities without fear of legal repercussions.
