Nous Research Drops API for Hermes 3 and DeepHermes-3: A David vs. Goliath Move in AI

In a bold move that’s shaking up the AI landscape, New York-based Nous Research has launched its Inference API, bringing its cutting-edge language models—Hermes 3 Llama 70B and DeepHermes-3 8B Preview—to developers and researchers worldwide. This isn’t just another API drop; it’s a direct challenge to the AI titans like OpenAI and Anthropic, offering a more personalized, unrestricted approach to AI development. Think of it as the indie rock band of AI, taking on the corporate pop stars.

“We heard your feedback, and built a simple system to make our language models more accessible to developers and researchers everywhere,” the company announced on social media. The API, designed with a familiar OpenAI-esque interface, makes integration a breeze for devs already fluent in the big players’ ecosystems. But here’s the kicker: Nous is offering $5 in free credits to new users, a move that’s as much about building goodwill as it is about managing demand through a waitlist system. It’s a clever play—part technical necessity, part hype machine.

Grassroots AI Meets Scalable Infrastructure

What sets Nous apart is its grassroots ethos. While OpenAI and Anthropic are busy building walled gardens, Nous is all about open-source principles and user agency. But don’t mistake idealism for naivety. The company is walking a tightrope, balancing its commitment to open-source with the realities of scaling a commercial API. This hybrid approach—offering both downloadable models for local deployment and high-performance API access—is a masterstroke. It’s like giving developers the keys to the car while also offering a chauffeur service for those who’d rather not drive.

DeepHermes-3, the company’s reasoning-focused model, is a standout feature of the API. With its ability to toggle between concise responses and detailed chains-of-thought (CoT), it’s a game-changer for developers building apps that require nuanced reasoning. Released just last month, DeepHermes-3 is already turning heads in the competitive field of reasoning AI, proving that smaller players can punch above their weight.

The Future of AI: Open, Accessible, and Community-Driven

Since its founding in 2023, Nous Research has been on a mission to democratize AI. Its blog posts, with titles like “Freedom at the Frontier” and “From Black Box to Glass House,” reflect a philosophy that resonates with developers tired of corporate gatekeeping. But let’s be real: even the most open systems need guardrails. While Nous markets its models as “unrestricted,” they do include safeguards against harmful outputs—a nod to responsible AI development.

This API launch isn’t just a technical milestone; it’s a strategic pivot. By monetizing the infrastructure layer rather than the models themselves, Nous is carving out a sustainable business model that doesn’t alienate its open-source roots. It’s a delicate dance, but one that could set a precedent for independent AI labs looking to stay afloat without selling out to big tech or venture capital.

Looking ahead, Nous plans to expand its inference offerings, potentially adding models like Hermes 2 Pro (specializing in function-calling) and its Psyche project on Solana. For startups and developers, this API is a breath of fresh air—a viable alternative to the usual suspects like Together AI and OpenAI. It’s a move that could spark a new wave of innovation in the AI inference space.

“We welcome your ideas to help shape the future,” the company noted in its announcement, doubling down on its community-driven approach. So, whether you’re a developer, researcher, or just an AI enthusiast, now’s the time to get in on the ground floor of what could be the next big thing in AI.

Stay tuned for more updates on cutting-edge AI developments!