{"slug": "open-weight-models-trail-the-closed-weight-frontier-by-around-four-months", "title": "Open-weight models trail the closed-weight frontier by around four months", "summary": "Open-weight AI models trail closed-weight frontier models by approximately four months in general capability, according to the Epoch Capabilities Index. The index aggregates scores from multiple AI benchmarks into a single scale, revealing a persistent gap between open and closed models.", "body_md": "[\nFinancing The Global Industrial Renaissance\n](/insights-news/gir)\n\nApollo stands as a key financing partner for some of the most innovative sectors driving our future.\n\nLearn about our firm, our purpose, our people and our offices around the world.\n\nApollo stands as a key financing partner for some of the most innovative sectors driving our future.\n\nAs markets change, Apollo transforms by creating innovative and differentiated strategies that are defining the future of finance.\n\nDiscover what makes Apollo an innovative capital provider, future-focused asset manager and leader in wealth management and retirement solutions.\n\nDiscover Apollo’s latest perspectives, case studies, research and analysis shaping conversations about private markets.\n\nExplore resources designed to support private markets investors and public shareholders.\n\nJuly 16, 2026\n\nPartner, Chief Economist\n\nThe Epoch Capabilities Index combines scores from many different AI benchmarks into a single \"general capability\" scale, and the chart below shows that open-weight models trail the closed-weight frontier by around four months. For more, see also [here](https://epoch.ai/data-insights/open-closed-eci-gap).\n\nTell us your role for a more relevant Apollo.com experience.\n\nThis presentation may not be distributed, transmitted or otherwise communicated to others in whole or in part without the express consent of Apollo Global Management, Inc. (together with its subsidiaries, “Apollo”).\n\nApollo makes no representation or warranty, expressed or implied, with respect to the accuracy, reasonableness, or completeness of any of the statements made during this presentation, including, but not limited to, statements obtained from third parties. Opinions, estimates and projections constitute the current judgment of the speaker as of the date indicated. They do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of Apollo and are subject to change at any time without notice. Apollo does not have any responsibility to update this presentation to account for such changes. 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Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of terminology including, but not limited to, “may”, “will”, “should”, “expect”, “anticipate”, “target”, “project”, “estimate”, “intend”, “continue” or “believe” or the negatives thereof or other variations thereon or comparable terminology.\n\nSocial\n\nExplore Apollo\n\nMore Information", "url": "https://wpnews.pro/news/open-weight-models-trail-the-closed-weight-frontier-by-around-four-months", "canonical_source": "https://www.apollo.com/insights-news/insights/daily-spark/chinese-models-vs-frontier-models", "published_at": "2026-07-16 11:12:26+00:00", "updated_at": "2026-07-16 11:25:13.559170+00:00", "lang": "en", "topics": ["artificial-intelligence", "machine-learning", "ai-research"], "entities": ["Apollo Global Management", "Epoch AI"], "alternates": {"html": "https://wpnews.pro/news/open-weight-models-trail-the-closed-weight-frontier-by-around-four-months", "markdown": "https://wpnews.pro/news/open-weight-models-trail-the-closed-weight-frontier-by-around-four-months.md", "text": "https://wpnews.pro/news/open-weight-models-trail-the-closed-weight-frontier-by-around-four-months.txt", "jsonld": "https://wpnews.pro/news/open-weight-models-trail-the-closed-weight-frontier-by-around-four-months.jsonld"}}