Counterpoint research: Llama used as base for 38% of adapted sovereign LLMs

Counterpoint’s index finds a majority of tracked sovereign models are adapted open-source bases and identifies Llama as the most common foreign foundation for those fine-tuned sovereign models.

In this brief: 2 sections 1 min read

- Counterpoint evaluated over 170 sovereign LLMs across more than 55 countries for H1 2026.
- 56% of sovereign LLMs tracked are 'adapted' (fine-tuned versions of open-source foreign bases); 44% are native foundational models.
- Llama accounts for 38% of adapted sovereign LLMs; Alibaba’s Qwen and France’s Mistral follow with 20% and 19% respectively.
- Widespread use of Llama suggests many countries favor adapting open foreign models over building from scratch.
- Counterpoint notes a trend toward a spectrum of autonomy, with more nations gradually pursuing native foundational models.
- Llama’s lead across regions highlights Meta’s influence on global model baselines used in sovereign projects.

Read full analysis on benzinga.com

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