Local and private AI: using AI without sending your data to the cloud

A “local” AI runs on your own computer: what you type never leaves it. Here are the guides to start with Ollama, LM Studio or ComfyUI, how to keep them offline and when it beats cloud services. Memory requirements depend on each model: always check the official model page before downloading.

• Local AI vs cloud AI (2026): privacy and when to use each
  Comparing AI on your own computer (Ollama, LM Studio) with cloud AI (ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini): privacy, hardware requirements, cost and convenience.
• Ollama: how to use AI models on your computer, offline
  A beginner’s guide to Ollama: what it is, memory requirements, installation on Windows, Mac and Linux, first model, local-only mode, privacy and limits, from the official documentation.
• Configuration: Ollama local-only, private and with more context
  Copyable recipes to turn off Ollama’s cloud features, keep it reachable only from your computer, increase the context and store models on another disk.
• LM Studio: run AI on your computer, offline (2026 guide)
  What LM Studio is, real requirements on Mac, Windows and Linux, how to download a model and chat with your documents offline.
• ComfyUI: what it is and how to make AI images on your PC
  A beginner’s guide to ComfyUI and Comfy Desktop: official requirements, installation on Windows and Mac, nodes and workflows, offline use, privacy and limits.
• Configuration: ComfyUI 100% offline with your models in one folder
  A recipe for using ComfyUI without internet, without paid API nodes and without sharing usage data, and for reusing a models folder with extra_model_paths.yaml.
• Mistral Le Chat: the European AI, free use and plans (2026)
  A guide to Le Chat, the assistant from French company Mistral AI: how to start for free, what Pro adds and whether there is a student discount.
• Hermes Agent: what it is and how to install it
  A guide to Hermes Agent, Nous Research’s open-source AI agent: requirements, installing the desktop app, first settings, privacy, limits and precautions.
• Configuration: Hermes Agent with MCP access to a single folder
  A copyable recipe for connecting Hermes Agent to the filesystem MCP server, limited to one folder and to only the tools you need, explained line by line.
• OpenBot: what it is and how to use a team of AI agents on your computer
  A guide to OpenBot (openbot.run), the free desktop app for working with agents such as Codex, Claude Code or Gemini using your AI plans: requirements, installation, privacy and precautions.
• OpenClaw: what it is and how to have your AI assistant in WhatsApp or Telegram
  A guide to OpenClaw, the open-source AI assistant that runs on your own computer and replies from your messaging apps: requirements, installation, safe configuration and limits.
• Configuration: OpenClaw on WhatsApp just for you
  A copyable recipe so your OpenClaw assistant on WhatsApp only serves your number and, in groups, only replies when mentioned. With explanation and security audit.
• DeepSeek and privacy: what its policy says before you use it
  Where DeepSeek stores your data, what it collects, whether it trains on chats and how to exercise your rights in Europe — read in its official privacy policy.
• Using AI safely: what data you should never paste into a chatbot
  The list of things you should never share with ChatGPT, Gemini or any AI, why, and which settings protect you. Based on what OpenAI, Google, the Spanish data-protection authority and the GDPR say.
• AI and company data: personal vs business accounts, and 6 basic rules
  What changes between using ChatGPT or Gemini with a personal account or a business plan, what OpenAI and Google promise about training on your data and a minimum policy for a small business.

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