The Llama 2 license suggests that Meta aims to prevent improvements to other models, impose restrictive terms for competitors, and retain branding and marketing rights. The article hypothesizes that Llama 2 could hurt competitors with proprietary models and those needing to build their audience organically. It also suggests that Llama 2 could be viewed as a "freemium" self-serve, encouraging users to build their infrastructure around the Llama 2 architecture and potentially use a future offering from Meta. Finally, the article suggests that Meta could enhance its reputation as a cutting-edge company through this move.
Key takeaways:
- Meta has made the weights of the Llama 2 commercially available, with strategic reasons including hiring, marketing, go-to-market strategies, reducing competitor's moat, goodwill, and standards lobbying.
- The Llama 2 license restricts improvements to other models, imposes restrictive terms for competitors, and retains branding and marketing rights.
- Open-sourcing Llama 2 could potentially reduce the competitive edge of companies with proprietary models and those that need to organically build their audience.
- Meta could potentially develop a reputation as a company built on the cutting edge by open-sourcing Llama 2 and offering it in different parameter sizes.