Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Everyone in AI is talking about open-weight models right now. Some see them as the ticket to faster, more efficient development; others see them as an economic threat; they're either a security risk or the only security solution, depending who you ask. The Verge's Robert Hart explains how open-weight models work, why they're suddenly at the center of discussions about AI safety, and whether the only way to stop a bad guy with AI is a good guy with AI.
0:00 Intro
00:48 90 Seconds on The Verge
03:00 What are Open-Weights?
07:16 China vs US Model Strategy
10:25 The Open-Weight Safety Debate
13:21 Hugging Face Hack Explained
14:43 Can Both Sides Coexist
21:56 Is This the Inflection Point?
28:21 Is More Government the Solution?
34:08 Wrap Up
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Everyone in AI is talking about open-weight models right now. Some see them as the ticket to faster, more efficient development; others see them as an economic threat; they're either a security risk or the only security solution, depending who you ask. The Verge's Robert Hart explains how open-weight models work, why they're suddenly at the center of discussions about AI safety, and whether the only way to stop a bad guy with AI is a good guy with AI.
0:00 Intro
00:48 90 Seconds on The Verge
03:00 What are Open-Weights?
07:16 China vs US Model Strategy
10:25 The Open-Weight Safety Debate
13:21 Hugging Face Hack Explained
14:43 Can Both Sides Coexist
21:56 Is This the Inflection Point?
28:21 Is More Government the Solution?
34:08 Wrap Up
Subscribe: goo.gl/G5RXGs
Like The Verge on Facebook: goo.gl/2P1aGc
Follow on Twitter: goo.gl/XTWX61
Follow on Instagram: goo.gl/7ZeLv
Watch The Vergecast on YouTube: bit.ly/40RFRkg
The Vergecast Podcast: bit.ly/3WQDexZ
Decoder with Nilay Patel: apple.co/3v29nDc
More about our podcasts: theverge.com/podcasts
Read More: theverge.com
Community guidelines: bit.ly/2D0hlAv
Wallpapers from The Verge: bit.ly/2xQXYJr
Shop our Verge merch store here: bit.ly/4kPCmEc
Subscribe to The Verge: bit.ly/3FT6n5S
If you buy something from a Verge link, Vox Media may receive a commission without exerting any influence on editorial content. For more information about our ethics policy, visit: bit.ly/3ZWTlLs
