China's free AI model is giving DeepSeek déjà vu. It works, but takes patience.
The new open-source AI model GLM-5.2 from China is gaining attention for its coding capabilities and large context window. While it performs well on various tasks, users report significant latency and capacity issues compared to premium models.
Why it matters
The emergence of high-performing, free open-source models from China challenges the dominance of US-based AI labs.
GLM-5.2, a free, open-source AI model from China, is taking Silicon Valley by storm with its coding capabilities and large context window. Bloomberg/Getty Images GLM-5.2, a free AI model from China, impressed Silicon Valley with its coding capabilities. Business Insider tried out GLM-5.2 by asking it to write an email, serve as a shopping aid, and create a poster. GLM-5.2 performed well on simpler tasks, but there are quite a few shortfalls. A new open-source AI model from China is drawing comparisons to DeepSeek, the LLM that shook Silicon Valley. Developers, investors, and AI executives have spent the past week praising GLM-5.2, an open-source model built by Beijing-based Z.ai, for coding and agentic AI tasks.
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