The Pixtral Large model, currently available in beta, comes with an impressive 128,000-token context window. This allows it to process and understand extensive textual data, PDF files, and images. The model can be accessed via a paid API or directly on Hugging Face under the Mistral Research License, intended for academic and research purposes.

While Mistral AI has also integrated the model into its chatbot, "Le Chat," the bot itself doesn’t disclose which model it uses and remains unaware of Pixtral Large’s features. When asked by about its knowledge base, Le Chat clarified that its information is up-to-date only as of October 2023. Notably, Pixtral Large appears on the platform's pricing page as a paid offering.

Benchmarks and Competitors

The AI landscape continues to evolve, with benchmarks highlighting models from various tech giants:

  • Llama by Meta
  • Gemini by Google
  • GPT by OpenAI
  • Claude by Anthropic
  • Grok by Elon Musk's xAI

Mistral AI is positioning Pixtral Large alongside these notable players as a cutting-edge solution for advanced tasks.

Beta Features in Le Chat

The chatbot Le Chat has received several updates in beta, expanding its functionality:

  • Internet Search: Users can now enable web search by clicking the "Web Search" button beneath the query field. This feature retrieves live data and provides clickable links to sources. However, in one test, the bot initially offered outdated information but corrected itself when given a specific month and year.
  • Image Generation: Using Flux models from Black Forest Labs, which also power xAI's Grok chatbot, users can create visuals by selecting "Image Generation."
  • Canvas Mode: This feature splits the interface into two panes — one for text and code editing and another for chatbot interaction. Users can:
    • Highlight and query text fragments.
    • Request rewrites or directly edit content.
    • Format text using bold or italics.
      Internet search, however, is not available in this mode.

Competitive Edge and Vision

Mistral AI, founded in 2023 by alumni from Google DeepMind and Meta, has rapidly gained attention. The French startup raised significant funding from investors like General Catalyst, Lightspeed Venture Partners, Andreessen Horowitz, and Nvidia, reaching a $6 billion valuation by summer 2024.

AI Advancing in Unexpected Ways

From its powerful new model to versatile chatbot features, Mistral AI demonstrates how innovation continues to reshape the AI landscape. As these tools evolve, they aim to meet the growing demand for smarter, more accessible technologies, pushing boundaries in both research and practical applications.