Run Llama 3 on your laptop: An introduction to Ollama for beginners.

Running open-source LLMs has never been easier.

Image by the author with the help of Dall-e 3 & Canva.

Running open-source AI models used to be a nightmare.

It required:
↳ deep technical knowledge
↳ expensive graphic cards (GPUs)
↳ understanding of computer architecture

Luckily, today we have Ollama!

Ollama is a convenient platform for the local development of open-source AI models.

But first…

Why should you use open-source AI?

Today, we have access to powerful Large Language Models, such as GPT-4o or Clause 3.5 Sonnet.

But they come with 4 major problems:

1. Data Privacy. When “talking” to GPT-4 you always send your data to the OpenAI server. For most companies, this is the #1 reason NOT to use AI.
2. Cost. The best-performing LLMs are expensive, especially for high-volume applications.
3. Dependency. Using GPT-4 or Claude means you rely on OpenAI or Anthropic. Most businesses prefer independence.
4. Limited Customization. Every business has unique needs and problems. Custom solutions are crucial for many. But…