AI Models
8 stories about AI Models, newest first — from Campus, Technology & AI.
The new No. 1 AI costs four times the runner-up. Most should skip it
Claude Fable 5.2 just took first place on a major AI leaderboard, at four times the runner-up's price. Why its lead is shakier than it looks, and the few people who should actually pay.
Five AI launches in 17 days. My winner finished sixth.
Five AI companies raced new models out between 23 October and 9 November. One crossed the line first, one improved the most for less money, and one barely moved. Here's the results sheet.
Google's AI won the people's vote. It came second on the exams.
Gemini 4 Carbon tops a public vote where people pick the answer they like, then slips to second on a stack of hard tests. Why the lists disagree, and why neither win is as solid as it looks.
Gemini Krypton: everything we actually know about Google's rumoured model
A model called Krypton is trending on X as Google's next Gemini. Google hasn't announced it, and there are no scores or prices. What the rumour says, and what to do until it's real.
GPT-6.2 Astra: everything we know about OpenAI's next big model
The name gpt-6.2-astra has turned up in people's Codex usage data, and a launch was tipped for 6 November. OpenAI still hasn't announced it. What's confirmed, what's rumour, and why the last Astra never shipped.
Musk says Grok 4.8 is a giant AI model. Here's what that actually means
Elon Musk says xAI's next model, Grok 4.8, is enormous and built on new, faster training software. There's no price, no test results and no release date yet. What the claim means in plain English, and what to do until it's out.
How to pick the right AI model: cost, speed and quality, with three worked examples
A simple method for choosing an AI model for coding, writing or data analysis. Start cheap, test on your own work, and only pay more when the cheap one fails.
The best AI you can own isn't the bargain you'd expect
The strongest AI model you can download and keep is Kimi K3.1 Pro. It ranks #16, and renting it costs as much as a closed model that beats it. The real bargain sits six places lower.