Z.ai launches GLM-4.5 and GLM-4.5-Air: powerful open-source agentic AI models from China

There’s a fresh development in the world of open-source AI. Chinese startup Z.ai has released two advanced models: GLM-4.5 and GLM-4.5-Air. 

These models combine strong reasoning, coding ability, and agentic task execution, and are now publicly available for developers and organizations worldwide.

What’s new?

GLM-4.5 is built with 355 billion parameters, while GLM-4.5-Air is a lighter version with 106 billion. Both models offer a hybrid reasoning approach. 

One mode handles complex, tool-based tasks, while the other focuses on quick, straightforward responses. This allows flexible use depending on the workload.

In benchmark tests, GLM-4.5 ranks among the top three models globally and is currently the highest-performing open-source model. It performs especially well in coding tasks, multi-step reasoning, and real-time responses using tools.

The models are openly released under Apache 2.0 and MIT licenses. This makes them suitable for commercial use, customization, and self-hosting.

Rysysth Insights

This release reflects a growing shift toward more accessible and capable AI systems. GLM-4.5 stands out for its dual-mode reasoning design, which opens up possibilities for building smarter AI agents and task automation tools.

The open-source nature of these models reduces cost and increases flexibility. Teams can now test and fine-tune high-performing models without being locked into proprietary platforms.

At the same time, deploying these models should be done with care. Differences in data handling standards and regulatory frameworks must be considered, especially when working in sensitive industries or public-facing applications.

Why it matters

China continues to lead in open-source AI innovation, contributing nearly half of all large language models globally. GLM-4.5 pushes this momentum further by delivering top-tier performance with full access for developers.

Both models are available on platforms like Hugging Face, ModelScope, and Z.ai’s API. For those exploring AI agents, automated workflows, or intelligent assistants, this is a major step forward.

Until next time