Meta just released three new AI models called Llama 4 Scout, Llama 4 Maverick, and Llama 4 Behemoth. These models are part of Meta’s plan to compete with big tech companies like Google and OpenAI. The best part? Developers can download and use them for free.
What Are Open-Weight AI Models?
Individual developers can easily make use of open-weight AI models, which function as reusable recipes. You receive the recipe without any costs when you do not need to pay for a cooking application. The Llama 4 models of Meta exist as open-weight models that allow developers to acquire them for use on their personal computers. Open-weight models reduce expenses because users do not need to pay for cloud-based computing solutions. However, there are rules. AI models have restrictions on their modification or business usage without authorization from the owners.
Meet the Llama 4 Models
Llama 4 Scout
Scout stands as the most compact model in comparison to the other group members. Scout contains 17 billion active components called parameters, which function as its thought-processing system. Scout functions by processing 10 million pieces of information simultaneously, similar to the rapid reading of massive library books. Through his abilities, Scout succeeds in coding tasks, solving mathematical problems, and interpreting images. It even beats Google’s Gemma 3 and Mistral 3.1 in tests. Plus, it runs on a single Nvidia H100 computer chip, making it cheap for small teams.
Llama 4 Maverick
Maverick is the middle model. It has the same 17 billion active parts as Scout but uses 128 experts to work smarter. Maverick can do everything Scout does but is faster and better. It matches OpenAI’s GPT-4 and Google’s Gemini 2.0 in coding and creative writing.
Meta says Maverick is perfect for making chatbots, translating languages, or analyzing photos.
Llama 4 Behemoth
Behemoth is the biggest and smartest model. It has 288 billion active parts and nearly 2 trillion total parts. Behemoth acts like a teacher, helping Scout and Maverick learn.
It shines in math, science, and understanding multiple languages. Even though it is still training, Behemoth already beats OpenAI’s GPT-4.5 and Google’s Gemini 2.0 Pro in tricky tests.
Why Llama 4 Matters
Meta claims Llama 4 models are faster, cheaper, and smarter than rivals. For example, Scout costs 1.25 to process a million pieces of data, while Google’s Gemini 2.0 Flash costs 2.50.
Developers love this because they can build apps without spending millions. A startup could use Scout to create a homework helper app, while a big company might use Behemoth for medical research.
How to Get Llama 4 Models
Scout and Maverick are available now on Meta’s Llama website and Hugging Face, a popular AI community site. Behemoth will come later in 2025.
Meta is also using Llama 4 to power its apps like WhatsApp and Instagram. Soon, Meta AI will give better answers in chats and understand the photos you send.
A New Era for AI
By sharing Llama 4 for free, Meta hopes more people will use its technology. This could push companies like Google and OpenAI to lower prices or offer free models, too. As Sundar Pichai, Google’s CEO, said on X, “Congrats to Meta’s team. The AI race just got hotter.”