How to Set Up Local AI Like ChatGPT, DeepSeek, Gemini, and Claude on Your Computer

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools have become an essential part of our daily workflow. Whether it's writing content, generating code, analyzing data, or brainstorming ideas — tools like ChatGPT, DeepSeek, Gemini, and Claude help us get accurate answers in seconds.

In the past, we used traditional search engines to find information — reading through blog posts, forums, and documentation to gather what we needed. But now, AI tools give us instant, well-structured answers, saving hours of research time.

However, most powerful AI models are cloud-based, and that raises a few challenges — privacy, subscription costs, and data dependency. In this post, you’ll learn how to set up a local AI model on your computer so you can enjoy AI’s power offline, securely, and even for free.

Why You Should Run AI Locally

Running AI locally on your computer offers several advantages:

• Privacy & Security – Your data never leaves your computer, so you can safely input sensitive or confidential information.
• No Subscription Fees – You can use open-source models completely free of cost.
• Offline Access – Work even without an internet connection.
• Customization – You can choose which model to use and even fine-tune it for your personal needs.

Many AI companies use user data to improve their systems. If you prefer to keep your prompts and outputs private, a local AI setup is the best solution.

What You’ll Need

Before installing, make sure your computer meets some basic requirements:

• Operating System: Windows, macOS, or Linux
• RAM: At least 8GB (16GB+ recommended for larger models)
• Storage: 20–100 GB (depending on model size)
• GPU (Optional): For faster performance and response time

Large AI models can be several gigabytes or even terabytes in size, so ensure you have enough system resources to run them efficiently.

Best Tools for Running Local AI Models

There are several tools that let you run large language models (LLMs) locally. One of the most popular and beginner-friendly options is Ollama.

Other options include:

• LM Studio – A local app that helps run open models like LLaMA and Mistral.
• GPT4All – A lightweight AI chat interface that supports various open-source models.
• Text Generation WebUI – A web-based interface for running local models.

In this guide, we’ll focus on Ollama, as it’s simple, powerful, and works across multiple platforms.

How to Install and Use Ollama on Your Computer

Follow these easy steps to get started:

Step 1: Download Ollama

Go to the official website and download the installer for your operating system: https://ollama.com/download

Once downloaded, install it like any other application on your computer.

Step 2: Launch Ollama

After installation, open Ollama.

You’ll see an interface similar to popular AI chat tools like ChatGPT or Claude.

If it asks for a cloud account, simply skip that step — we’re going to use local models instead.

Step 3: Choose and Download a Model

Ollama lets you download models directly to your machine.

In the message area, you’ll see a Model Select dropdown. From here, you can pick any model you like or download new ones.

Visit: https://ollama.com/search

Here you’ll find a list of popular AI models you can download for free, such as:

• LLaMA 3
• Mistral 7B
• Gemma 2
• Phi-3 Mini
• DeepSeek Coder

You can install a model by using a simple terminal command. For example:

ollama run mistral

Ollama will automatically download and set up the model for local use.

Step 4: Start Chatting

Once downloaded, you can start chatting right away! Just type your prompt — the AI will generate responses without needing an internet connection.