Since OpenAI released ChatGPT in November 2022, the Large Language Model (LLM) has quickly attracted global attention. Recently, DeepSeek's big language model has once again caused a sensation in the global technology and capital markets.
As a key foundational technology in the field of artificial intelligence (AI), how can big language models be implemented on the application side? How to achieve commercial operation? This article aims to elaborate on the commercialization issues of big language model companies, represented by OpenAI, and briefly analyze the business model and legal relationships of the application side of big language model companies.
1. The Business Model of Big Language Modeling Company: Taking OpenAI as an Example
The unique organizational structure between non-profit and for-profit is the foundation of OpenAI's business model. OpenAI's parent company is a non-profit organization, with a for-profit subsidiary OpenAI Global LLC (formerly OpenAI LP) responsible for commercial operations. In this mode, there is a limit to investors' returns, and profits exceeding the limit will be reinvested into non-profit goals. This model aims to balance technological innovation, social mission, and business sustainability.
On this basis, OpenAI has established a business model of layered services and building platforms:
(a) In terms of To C, under the business model of directly providing AI services to C-end users, OpenAI not only offers free basic services, commonly known as the free version of Chat GPT, but also generates revenue by providing paid premium subscription services, such as Chat GPT Plus and Chat GPT Pro;
(b) In terms of To B, OpenAI charges enterprise developers by providing an API (Application Program Interface). Developers of these apps or web pages can call the GPT model through the API interface provided by OpenAI;
(c) In terms of platform construction, OpenAI has also built a large language model application market platform - GPT Store, and obtained revenue sharing from it. On the GPT Store, customers can develop customized models based on GPT to achieve specific application purposes, while also purchasing and enjoying customized models developed by others.
2、API业务
OpenAI's business operation model on the enterprise side (To B) is API business. API is the interface for communication, data exchange, and function calling between different software systems. One of the main reasons why big language modeling companies can develop API business is that APIs can help big language modeling companies and terminal application companies achieve a win-win situation: for terminal application developers, they can not only utilize existing functions, reduce repetitive labor, but also improve service quality; For large language modeling companies, they only need to provide standardized products for terminal application providers to achieve commercial implementation.
(1) Direct sales model
OpenAI regards API as one of its "Products" on its official website, providing API products directly to terminal application developers, which is equivalent to a "direct sales" model. In this mode, OpenAI adopts a charging method based on the amount of data called to meet the needs of users of different scales.
In this model, the legal relationship between OpenAI and its API clients is mainly defined by the commercial terms signed by both parties: when the client registers an account, they click to agree to the corresponding commercial terms, forming a legal relationship with OpenAI through an agreement. However, if the project involves large-scale data exchange or commercial use, a separate contract can usually be signed.
Specifically, in terms of the agreement on customer rights, OpenAI grants customers a non exclusive right to access and use the service, that is, OpenAI reserves all rights other than the right to use the AI service, while OpenAI grants customers any rights, including ownership and other benefits (if any), to the content output by the model; There are also special provisions applicable to US law, such as trade control clauses that require customers to comply with all applicable US trade laws, including sanctions and export control laws, and not use OpenAI's AI services for any end use prohibited by trade laws.
