Critical Thinking in the Age of AI

How to Use AI Without Using Data Centers: A Beginner's Guide to Local and Offline AI

March 9, 2026·20 min
Episode Description from the Publisher

There's an entire ecosystem of AI tools, many of them free, open-source, and running entirely on your own device, that most people have never heard of. This episode breaks down what local AI is, what you give up when you use it, and which tools are worth trying today. Including Jan.ai, Locally AI for Apple devices, and Obsidian for local project management. If your AI use involves anything sensitive, this episode is for you.Sources ReferencedJan.ai (open-source, offline AI assistant for Mac, Windows, Linux): https://www.jan.aiLocally AI (on-device AI for iPhone, iPad, and Mac): https://locallyai.appObsidian (local-first knowledge management): https://obsidian.mdFeatherless AI (catalog of 26,000+ open-source models): https://featherless.aiFollow me onInsta: https://www.instagram.com/iamshaeo/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@iamshaeo Subscribe to my Newsletter: https://shaeomonijo.substack.com/ Buy Me a Matcha:  https://buymeacoffee.com/iamshaeoEmail: pr@iamshaeo.com1:1 SupportBook a 1:1 Call with me: https://stan.store/iamshaeo/p/bookacall-7xv4fsun Check out my Stan store: https://stan.store/iamshaeo GuidesAI for Humanists: https://stan.store/iamshaeo/p/ai-resource-learning-guideCritical Thinking Skills Guide: https://stan.store/iamshaeo/p/critical-thinking-skills-in-the-age-of-ai Check out my Bookshop curated reading lists: https://shaeomonijo.substack.com/p/reading-lists *This post may contain Bookshop affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting my work!

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