Apertus: The first fully open, transparent and multilingual language model - a revolution for AI development?
Why open language models are the future
Artificial intelligence (AI) and language models such as ChatGPT, Bard or Llama have fundamentally changed the way we interact with technology in recent years. But while many of these models are developed and controlled by big tech companies, there is a growing demand for more transparent, open and democratic AI solutions. This is where Apertus comes in: the first fully open, transparent and multilingual language model that opens up new possibilities not only for developers, but also for companies, researchers and the general public.
What makes Apertus different? Why open language models are so important and how companies - especially in the field of content management and web development - can benefit from this innovation.
What is Apertus?
Apertus is an open source language model that is characterised by three key features:
- Complete openness: unlike proprietary models such as those of OpenAI or Google, Apertus is completely transparent. This means that not only the source code, but also the training data, architecture and decision-making processes of the model are publicly accessible and can be modified.
- Multilingual: Apertus was designed from the ground up to understand and generate multiple languages at a high level - a decisive advantage for global applications.
- Community-driven: The model is further developed by an active open source community, enabling rapid customisation, improvements and widespread use.
Why is Apertus a game changer?
| Advantage | Significance for companies and developers |
|---|---|
| Transparency | No "black box": Users know how decisions are made - essential for compliance and trust. |
| Customisability | Companies can optimise the model according to their needs without having to rely on closed APIs. |
| Cost efficiency | No dependence on expensive cloud services; the model can be operated locally or in your own infrastructure |
| Data protection | Sensitive data remains within the company as no external servers are required. |
| Freedom to innovate | Developers can expand the model without being limited by licence restrictions. |
Open language models vs. proprietary solutions: A comparison
1. control and security
- Proprietary models (e.g. GPT-5, Gemini):
- Users are dependent on the provider's guidelines.
- Data is often processed on external servers.
- Changes or adjustments are only possible to a limited extent.
- Apertus & open source alternatives:
- Full control over data and model behaviour.
- No unexpected API changes or cost explosions.
- Ideal for regulated industries (e.g. healthcare, financial sector).
2. language diversity
Many commercial models are primarily optimised for English. Apertus, on the other hand, emphasises multilingual capabilities, which makes it particularly attractive for international companies.
3. community vs. monopoly
- Closed models are controlled by individual companies, which leads to dependencies.
- Apertus benefits from the collective intelligence of a global community that continuously improves the model.
Practical use cases for companies
1. content management systems (CMS) such as EGOCMS
- Automated content generation: Apertus can be integrated into EGOCMS to create multilingual blog articles, product descriptions or SEO texts - without external dependencies.
- Personalised user experiences: By customising the model locally, websites can dynamically generate content in real time that is tailored to the user.
- Accessibility: Multilingual support enables the development of new markets.
2. customer service and chatbots
- Companies can develop their own privacy-compliant chatbots that are based on Apertus and do not pass on any user data to third parties.
- Example: A German online shop uses Apertus to offer customer support in German, English and French - without having to resort to expensive SaaS solutions.
3. research and development
- Universities and start-ups can use Apertus to drive forward their own AI research projects without having to rely on closed systems.
Challenges and limitations
Despite the many advantages, there are also challenges:
- Resource-intensive: training and maintaining large language models requires computing power and expertise.
- Quality assurance: Open models can be more susceptible to misuse (e.g. deepfakes) - ethical guidelines are crucial here.
- Competition with tech giants: Open source projects have to hold their own against well-funded corporations.
But this is precisely where the opportunity lies: collaborative development can lead to more robust, fairer AI in the long term.
How can I use Apertus?
1. installation and integration
Apertus is available on platforms such as GitHub and can be integrated into existing systems (e.g. CMS, CRM or e-commerce platforms). Developers can find detailed documentation and tutorials.
2. customisation to your own needs
The model can be optimised for specific use cases through fine-tuning - for legal texts, technical documentation or marketing content, for example.
3. contribution to the community
Companies can not only be users, but also co-creators: through feedback, code contributions or the sharing of training data.
Conclusion: Why Apertus is changing the AI landscape
Apertus stands for a more democratic, transparent and flexible AI future. For companies that value data sovereignty, cost efficiency and innovation, it is a compelling alternative to closed systems.
The question is no longer whether open language models will come, but when they will become the standard. Those who invest in this technology now will secure a competitive advantage - especially in areas such as content management, e-commerce and digital marketing.
Your next steps:
- Test Apertus: try out the model in a pilot project.
- Integrate AI into your CMS: Use EGOCMS to utilise Apertus for automated content.
- Exchange ideas: Visit forums such as Apertus Community or