Why Smart Enterprises Need Both Open & Closed AI Models

Posted on September 23, 2025 at 10:30 PM

🤖 Why Smart Enterprises Need Both Open & Closed AI Models

AI is no longer just a tech buzzword—it’s the engine powering modern enterprises. From automating customer service 🤖 to enhancing internal workflows 🏭, AI promises huge gains. But here’s the catch: choosing the right AI model isn’t black and white. Let’s dive into why your enterprise strategy needs a mix of open and closed models—and how this impacts your bottom line 💸.


🔍 Open vs. Closed Models: The Essentials

At the heart of enterprise AI is a simple question: Do you go open or closed?

Closed Models

  • Think GPT-4o, Anthropic Claude, etc.
  • Proprietary, with hidden weights, code, and training data.
  • Pros: Enterprise-grade support, robust performance.
  • Cons: Higher licensing costs 💰.

Open Models

  • Examples: Meta’s LLaMA, IBM Granite, DeepSeek.
  • Open-source, fully customizable.
  • Pros: Flexibility, control, lower licensing costs.
  • Cons: Requires more internal resources for scaling and maintenance 🛠️.

💡 Why You Don’t Need to Pick Just One

David Guarrera, Generative AI Leader at EY Americas, nails it:

“Open vs closed is increasingly a fluid design space—models are chosen based on accuracy, latency, cost, interpretability, and security at different points in a workflow.”

In other words, a hybrid approach often wins. Here’s why:

  • Tailored for Use Cases 🎯: Pick the right model for the job.
  • Balance Cost & Performance ⚖️: Save money without sacrificing results.
  • Compliance & Security 🛡️: Stay aligned with regulations and protect sensitive data.

📊 The TCO (Total Cost of Ownership) Reality

It’s tempting to just look at licensing fees, but TCO is about the full picture:

  • Infrastructure Costs 🏗️: Open models often need more compute power.
  • Operational Costs ⚙️: Maintaining open models can demand specialized staff.
  • Security & Compliance 🔐: Extra measures can add up.

Josh Bosquez, CTO at Second Front Systems, emphasizes:

“Open models are great for rapid prototyping, but closed models shine when data sovereignty and enterprise support are critical.”


🛠️ Real-World Strategy: Go Hybrid

Many forward-thinking enterprises now mix models:

  • Open Models: For experimentation, internal tools, and customization.
  • Closed Models: For customer-facing apps, regulated environments, and critical workloads.

This hybrid approach lets you maximize flexibility, performance, and cost efficiency—all while staying secure.


🔮 Looking Ahead

The future belongs to enterprises that adapt and combine AI strategies. By embracing both open and closed models, you can:

  • Move fast 🚀 with innovation.
  • Stay compliant and secure 🛡️.
  • Optimize TCO 💸 without sacrificing performance.

💡 Pro tip: Think of AI strategy like a smart investment portfolio—diversify to minimize risk and maximize return.


For a deeper dive, check out the full article on VentureBeat: Why Your Enterprise AI Strategy Needs Both Open and Closed Models