24 August 2026

Open-weight AI model usage doubled while closed-weight still grew faster

• Open-weight models, publicly available code that anyone can run, doubled their share of AI inference tokens over twelve months.
• Closed-weight models, proprietary systems like OpenAI's GPT, still grew seven times faster in absolute terms during the same period.
• The two categories now approach equal market share despite closed-weight models expanding more rapidly in total usage volume.

How it was covered

Exponential ViewAzeem Azhar

The share of open-weight inference tokens has doubled over twelve months, approaching a 1:1 ratio with closed-weight tokens. Despite this growth, closed-weight tokens grew sevenfold in the same period, suggesting rapid expansion across both categories.