Running a local AI large language model (LLM) or chatbot on your PC provides you with the opportunity to ask any questions you desire in complete privacy. However, setting up and configuring these LLMs can often be challenging. Fortunately, there is a solution: GPT4All, an application designed to combine ease of use with flexibility. While it may not be as accommodating as more complex frameworks and applications, GPT4All can be up and running within minutes with just a few clicks. Moreover, it offers the benefit of running on both CPU and GPU, eliminating the need for the latest and most powerful hardware. This local large language model allows you to interact with an AI chatbot, enabling you to enhance your search capabilities or seek assistance with diagnosing issues. It can also serve as a helpful tool for comprehending lengthy legal or medical documents by uploading them for analysis. However, it is important to note that GPT4All is not a substitute for professional advice from a doctor or lawyer, but rather a resource to determine whether seeking such advice is necessary. One of the significant advantages of using GPT4All is the privacy it ensures. Unlike some other AI chatbots like Microsoft's Copilot, which restrict conversations and shy away from sensitive subjects, GPT4All is your personal LLM that respects your privacy. Most importantly, it allows you to explore and experiment with other models in the future. GPT4All offers a variety of conversational models to choose from, and the developer provides clear instructions on the required hard drive space and RAM needed to run each model. It is recommended to have a minimum of 8GB of RAM, although simpler models are available for older systems, and more complex models for modern hardware. As with any internet downloads, it is crucial to be cautious and aware of potential malware.

However, GPT4All, developed by Nomic AI, comes with the assurance of being open-sourced and available on GitHub, where it has been thoroughly examined by users for several months. The download process is simple, with a small installer file that quickly downloads the necessary files. Upon launching the app, you have the option to contribute your usage and chats anonymously to Nomic, although this step can be skipped if confidentiality is a concern. The app offers various conversational models to select from, with details provided on their size and RAM requirements. The models provided on the GPT4All site have been sanitized, ensuring a safe and responsible user experience. Using GPT4All is intuitive, as it presents a chat interface for interaction. You can freely ask questions or request creative outputs such as stories or poems. It serves as a platform to seek suggestions or advice on personal matters like finances or healthcare. However, it is essential to understand that AI models generate responses at a pace similar to a dot-matrix printer, typically producing around five tokens per second. The speed can be significantly improved if your system has a GPU with sufficient VRAM. Adjusting CPU threads in the settings can also impact performance, but caution should be exercised to ensure system compatibility. Additionally, GPT4All allows you to "teach" it by providing locally stored documents, which can be indexed for future reference. If you find yourself intrigued by the LLM experience and want to explore further possibilities, it is recommended to try Oobabooga, a versatile front-end that provides access to a wide range of conversational models. With Oobabooga, you can unlock even greater complexity and flexibility, along with the option to download numerous additional models for experimentation.