Mistral Announces Release of New AI Model 'Le Chonk'

French tech company Mistral announced on October 6, 2026, the upcoming release of its new AI model named 'Le Chonk,' which is its first release in five months. Mistral claims that the model outperforms some of its Chinese competitors in various areas. The model, officially named Mistral Large 4, is designed for users who prioritize data privacy and will be publicly available on October 27. Cybersecurity experts and government authorities will receive access to a version of the model with fewer safety restrictions for testing purposes. Last month, Mistral raised €3 billion euros ($3.4 billion), marking Europe's largest technology fundraising. The open-weight model allows users to download and customize the software to run on their own servers. Mistral asserts that it is a safer European alternative compared to its main US competitors, particularly in light of recent warnings about the dangers of AI. Mistral CEO Arthur Mensch stated that the new model is 'actually above the Chinese models' in certain areas, including cybersecurity, although he did not specify which models he was referencing. This release marks the company's first new model since May.