Running large language models locally
Model Shop
Image © sdecoret, 123RF.com
Ollama and Open WebUI let you join the AI revolution without relying on the cloud.
Large language models (LLMs) such as the ones used by OpenAI's [1] ChatGPT [2] are too resource intensive to run locally on your own computer. That's why they're deployed as online services that you pay for. However, since ChatGPT's release, some significant advancements have occurred around smaller LLMs. Many of these smaller LLMs are open source or have a liberal license (see the "Licenses" box). You can run them on your own computer without having to send your input to a cloud server and without having to pay a fee to an online service.
Because these LLMs are computationally intensive and need a lot of RAM, running them on your CPU can be slow. For optimal performance, you need a GPU – GPUs have many parallel compute cores and a lot of dedicated RAM. An NVIDIA or AMD GPU with 8GB RAM or more is recommended.
In addition to the hardware and the models, you also need software that enables you to run the models. One popular package is Ollama [3], named for Meta AI's large language model Llama [4]. Ollama is a command-line application that runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows, and you can also run it as a server that other software connects to.
[...]
Buy this article as PDF
(incl. VAT)
Buy Linux Magazine
US / Canada
UK / Australia
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
Photoshop on Linux?
A developer has patched Wine so that it'll run specific versions of Photoshop that depend on Adobe Creative Cloud.
-
Linux Mint 22.3 Now Available with New Tools
Linux Mint 22.3 has been released with a pair of new tools for system admins and some pretty cool new features.
-
New Linux Malware Targets Cloud-Based Linux Installations
VoidLink, a new Linux malware, should be of real concern because of its stealth and customization.
-
Say Goodbye to Middle-Mouse Paste
Both Gnome and Firefox have proposed getting rid of a long-time favorite Linux feature.
-
Manjaro 26.0 Primary Desktop Environments Default to Wayland
If you want to stick with X.Org, you'll be limited to the desktop environments you can choose.
-
Mozilla Plans to AI-ify Firefox
With a new CEO in control, Mozilla is doubling down on a strategy of trust, all the while leaning into AI.
-
Gnome Says No to AI-Generated Extensions
If you're a developer wanting to create a new Gnome extension, you'd best set aside that AI code generator, because the extension team will have none of that.
-
Parrot OS Switches to KDE Plasma Desktop
Yet another distro is making the move to the KDE Plasma desktop.
-
TUXEDO Announces Gemini 17
TUXEDO Computers has released the fourth generation of its Gemini laptop with plenty of updates.
-
Two New Distros Adopt Enlightenment
MX Moksha and AV Linux 25 join ranks with Bodhi Linux and embrace the Enlightenment desktop.