Meta, Microsoft releases new AI model Llama 2

The generative AI landscape is becoming ever more competitive as Meta and Microsoft 15 have teamed up to release Llama 2. Best of all, it’s free for both commercial and research use, and you can download it soon from the Meta AI website.

Llama 2 is the company’s follow-up to the Llama which at the time could generate various text and code similar to other chatbot-like systems. At the time though, the original model was only available by request and limited to academic and research purposes due to fear of misuse.

With Llama 2, Meta and Microsoft say it has been extensively “red-teamed” or safety tested by “generating adversarial prompts to facilitate model fine-tuning”. They even include a responsible use guide and an acceptable use policy to prevent the system from being used for criminal activity and the like. At the same time, Llama 2 will allow users to utilize the technology for their own use, including chatbots and even image generators.

The tool will be able to run directly on Windows PCs thanks to its partnership with Microsoft. In addition, it will also be available on smartphones, tablets, and laptops running Qualcomm’s Snapdragon chipsets starting in 2024. Llama 2 will debut in different sizes, and these can be downloaded from Meta’s launch partners Microsoft Azure, Amazon Web Services, and Hugging Face.

“We believe an open approach is the right one for the development of today’s AI models, especially those in the generative space where the technology is rapidly advancing. By making AI models available openly, they can benefit everyone,” says Meta in a statement.

With the debut of Llama 2 and their commitment to safety, would you consider using this over ChatGPT and other generative AI models? Share your thoughts in the comments below.