Mistral AI, a Paris-based startup, has introduced a new family of AI models, called “Les Ministraux,” designed to enhance performance on edge devices such as laptops and smartphones. This series includes two models: Ministral 3B and Ministral 8B, which are optimized for tasks that require local processing, such as translation, offline smart assistants, and autonomous robotics. Both models boast a large context window of 128,000 tokens, enabling them to process extensive text—equivalent to 50 pages—efficiently, enhancing coherence in output.

These models aim to meet the rising demand for privacy-focused AI that operates locally without relying heavily on cloud infrastructure. The smaller Ministral 3B surpasses its predecessor, Mistral 7B, on various benchmarks, while the larger Ministral 8B offers performance on par with models like Meta’s Llama 8B and others from Google. Pricing for the models reflects their intended edge use: Ministral 3B costs $0.04 per million tokens, while Ministral 8B is priced at $0.10 per million tokens.

Currently, Ministral 8B is available for research purposes, with commercial licenses available through direct negotiation with Mistral. Both models are also accessible via Mistral’s cloud platform, La Platforme. This release aligns with the industry’s growing shift towards smaller, more efficient AI models, addressing cost and latency concerns that come with larger, cloud-dependent systems. Mistral hopes to position itself as a key player in the AI space, with future plans to compete with larger companies like OpenAI and Anthropic.

This development underscores Mistral’s strategy to empower edge computing and maintain strong privacy standards by minimizing the need for constant internet connectivity in AI operations. The launch also reflects the broader trend of companies seeking to integrate AI into everyday devices, ensuring faster processing and greater autonomy for applications like smart assistants and robotics.

You can read more about these models here: https://mistral.ai/news/ministraux/