French Startup Mistral AI Launches High-Speed Chat Assistant

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French startup Mistral AI has introduced “Le Chat,” an open-source generative AI assistant capable of responding at a rate of up to 1,000 words per second. This development positions Mistral AI as a significant competitor in the AI sector, offering an alternative to established platforms like OpenAI’s ChatGPT. The launch comes shortly after China’s DeepSeek unveiled its own AI assistant, intensifying the global race in artificial intelligence advancements.

Founded in 2023, Mistral AI has secured backing from prominent investors, including AI chip leader Nvidia. The company is valued at approximately €5.8 billion and has garnered attention from French President Emmanuel Macron. Despite its rapid growth, Mistral AI’s Le Chat currently serves “several million subscribers,” a modest figure compared to ChatGPT’s 200 million weekly active users as of August. CEO and co-founder Arthur Mensch emphasized the importance of European contributions to AI, stating that the world is recognizing the significance of European players in providing cutting-edge technology.

Mistral AI’s commitment to open-source solutions has influenced other AI developments. Notably, DeepSeek has benefited from technology shared by Mistral in 2023. Mensch highlighted the cultural dimension of AI and the necessity for European champions in the field, underscoring the company’s mission to make AI more open and accessible to everyone.

Source: Reuters, https://www.reuters.com/technology/artificial-intelligence/french-startup-mistral-rolls-out-app-escalating-ai-race-2025-02-06/

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