Frontier Model
Plain-language explanation
A highly capable foundation model that meets a technical threshold defined by an applicable frontier AI law. The precise threshold and related requirements depend on the jurisdiction.
Why It Matters
Whether a model meets a legal frontier-model definition can determine whether special safety, transparency, assessment, and incident-reporting requirements apply to its developer.
In Practice
Illinois defines a frontier model using a foundation-model definition and a specified training-compute threshold. California uses its own statutory definitions in the Transparency in Frontier Artificial Intelligence Act.
Do not use frontier model as a loose synonym for every new, powerful, or popular AI model when performing legal analysis. Confirm the definition in the applicable law.