Orange is intensifying its partnership with DeepAI by deploying two new advanced open-weight reasoning models within its data centre infrastructure. This move aims to bolster the development and support of artificial intelligence solutions across Orange’s extensive network, with a particular focus on expanding AI capabilities in Africa.
The new models, named ‘gpt-oss-120b’ and ‘gpt-oss-20b’, will enable Orange to deploy AI workloads flexibly across a variety of environments within its data centres. This strategic shift provides greater control over AI operations, allowing the company to host data locally within its 26-country footprint. Such localisation is vital for safeguarding sensitive information and ensuring compliance with the diverse and evolving regulatory landscape across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.
A key aspect of this initiative is to accelerate Orange’s ongoing efforts to incorporate regional African languages into large language models. By fine-tuning DeepAI’s gpt-oss models with local languages, Orange aims to facilitate more natural communication for customers in its 18 African markets. This enhancement will improve interactions across customer support, sales, and marketing channels, enabling more inclusive and accessible services.
Furthermore, Orange plans to release these customised AI models as open-source tools free of charge to local government authorities. This initiative intends to support the enhancement of public services, fostering broader digital transformation within local communities.
The deployment of these open-weight models is also expected to catalyse the development of innovative applications and services for Orange’s customers. These include natural-language voice assistants, intelligent chatbots, smarter network automation, and increased resilience. Additionally, the models will underpin business solutions such as AI-powered chatbots, advanced voice recognition services, and specialised analysis of sensitive data tailored to individual client needs.
Orange’s Chief AI Officer, Steve Jarrett, highlighted the strategic importance of this initiative, emphasising that it will open new avenues for addressing sensitive enterprise requirements, managing networks more efficiently, and delivering innovative, region-specific customer care solutions, particularly in African markets.
