Local Models 101: How to Run AI on Your Own Computer

The computer sitting in front of you can already run useful AI on its own.

A local model makes that possible. You download the model and run it directly on your machine. Your prompts can stay there too. It keeps working without an internet connection, and there is no per-use meter running in the background.

A few years ago, doing this was mostly for people willing to spend time in terminals and model files. It is getting much easier.

In this session, I’ll break down the parts that actually matter.

We’ll start with what a local model is and what your computer can realistically run. I’ll explain how model size, speed, and hardware affect the experience, then show you which kinds of work are already a good fit for local AI.

We’ll also look at the jobs where cloud models still make more sense, so you leave knowing when local is worth reaching for.

I’ve been building a new Mac app around exactly this idea. It gives a local model a real job that many of us already need done every week. The app handles the model download and setup, so you can start using it with one click.

Everyone who joins the session gets early access.

By the end, local models should feel like a normal option you know how to use. You’ll understand what your computer can handle, where local AI is genuinely useful, and the easiest path I know to get started.

This is for you if…

• You keep hearing about local models and want someone to explain them properly.
• You want more control over where your AI runs and what happens to your data.
• You are curious how much useful AI can already run on the computer sitting in front of you.
• You want a practical reason to try local AI for yourself.

What you’ll get…

• A clear understanding of how local models work.
• A practical way to decide which tasks belong on your own machine.
• A simple path to getting your first local model running.
• Early access to a new Mac app I’ve been building.

See you Friday. I’ll make local models make sense.