# Navigating Uncertainties: How GenAI Developers Document Their Models on Open-Source Platforms

arXiv: https://arxiv.org/abs/2503.23574 · HTML: https://mlsanity.com/paper/2503.23574/

## Key facts

- Cited by 2 papers in the map (data through 14 Oct 2026).
- First posted on arXiv 30 Mar 2025.

## Built on by (most cited first, 2 of 2)

- ["If You're Very Clever, No One Knows You've Used It": The Social Dynamics of Developing Generative AI Literacy in the Workplace](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2602.01386/) (2026)
- [A Large-Scale Measurement of AI Bill of Materials Completeness in Hugging Face Models](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2607.17242/) (2026)

## Abstract (arXiv)

Model documentation plays a crucial role in promoting transparency and responsible development of AI systems. With the rise of Generative AI (GenAI), open-source platforms have increasingly become hubs for hosting and distributing these models, prompting platforms like Hugging Face to develop dedicated model documentation guidelines that align with responsible AI principles. Despite these growing efforts, there remains a lack of understanding of how developers document their GenAI models on open-source platforms. Through interviews with 13 GenAI developers active on open-source platforms, we provide empirical insights into their documentation practices and challenges. Our analysis reveals that despite existing resources, developers of GenAI models still face multiple layers of uncertainties in their model documentation: (1) uncertainties about what specific content should be included; (2) uncertainties about how to effectively report key components of their models; and (3) uncertainties in deciding who should take responsibilities for various aspects of model documentation. Based on our findings, we discuss the implications for policymakers, open-source platforms, and the research community to support meaningful, effective and actionable model documentation in the GenAI era, including cultivating better community norms, building robust evaluation infrastructures, and clarifying roles and responsibilities.