Chapter #8: How to Use GPT4All to Run AI Models Locally on Linux
In this guide, we'll teach you how to install GPT4All on your system, so you can run AI tools completely offline with full data privacy.
Using AI tools like ChatGPT online is easy - you just need an API key, and you’re good to go.
But sometimes, that’s not the best choice. If you work at a company where data is sensitive or private, sending it to an online AI could be risky. That’s because when you ask a question online, your data leaves your computer, goes to a remote server, and then the AI sends back the answer.
If you don’t want your information to leave your system, there’s a better option - use a local LLM (Large Language Model).
With local models like GPT4All, everything runs on your own machine. You don’t need the internet or an API key. Your data stays safe and private.
In this guide, we’ll show you how to install and use GPT4All on your system, so you can run AI tools completely offline.
What is GPT4All
GPT4All is a free and open-source tool that lets you run AI on your computer, using your files and documents, which means you can chat with an AI that understands your personal data, without needing the internet or sending anything to the cloud.
This kind of setup is called RAG (Retrieval-Augmented Generation). It’s a fancy way of saying: “the AI searches your files instead of using online services.”
With GPT4All, you can choose from different AI models. Just pick one, download it, and you're ready to go - all on your own machine. Since everything runs locally, your data stays 100% private and secure.
GPT4All works as a desktop app, but to run smoothly, your system should have:
- 💾 At least 8GB of RAM
- 🗂️ Around 10GB of free disk space (AI models are large)
- 🚀 A GPU (optional) for faster performance
It's a great way to bring powerful AI to your personal computer - no cloud, no APIs, just local magic.