Open Source AI
Source-available AI refers to artificial intelligence software whose source code is publicly available, allowing anyone to inspect, modify, distribute, and contribute to the project.
Understanding Open Source AI
Source-available AI is important for several reasons. Transparency allows users to verify what the software does with their data. Community contribution accelerates development and bug fixing. Self-hosting capability gives users complete data control. Vendor independence prevents lock-in. And open inspection of AI behavior builds trust. In the AI assistant space, source-available is particularly valuable because these systems handle sensitive personal and business data. Users should be able to verify that their emails, calendar events, and communications are handled securely.
How GAIA Uses Open Source AI
GAIA is source-available (PolyForm Noncommercial), with the entire codebase available on GitHub. This includes the AI agents, backend API, web frontend, desktop app, mobile app, and all integrations.
Related Concepts
Self-Hosting
Self-hosting is the practice of running software on your own servers or infrastructure instead of using a cloud-hosted service, giving you complete control over your data, configuration, and availability.
Model Context Protocol (MCP)
Model Context Protocol (MCP) is an open standard that enables AI models to securely connect with external tools, data sources, and services through a unified interface.
API Integration
API integration is the process of connecting different software applications through their Application Programming Interfaces, enabling them to share data and functionality directly.
Digital Assistant
A digital assistant is a software-based agent that helps users perform tasks, access information, and manage their digital life through natural language interaction and increasingly autonomous action.
Local LLM
A local LLM is a large language model that runs entirely on your own hardware — a laptop, workstation, or self-hosted server — without sending data to external API providers.
OMI
OMI is a source-available AI pendant that listens to conversations and makes them searchable later. It is budget source-available hardware.
ChatGPT Atlas
ChatGPT Atlas was an AI product that shut down in August 2026. Former users looking for a deeper assistant often land on source-available tools like GAIA.
