In the early days of large language models, there was a high barrier to entry: it used to be impossible to run anything useful on your own computer without investing in pricey GPUs. But researchers have had so much success in shrinking down and speeding up models that anyone with a laptop, or even a smartphone, can now get in on the action. For people who are concerned about privacy, want to break free from the control of the big LLM companies, or just enjoy tinkering, local models offer a compelling alternative to ChatGPT and its web-based peers. Here's how to get started running a useful model from the safety and comfort of your own computer. This story is part of MIT Technology Review's How To series, helping you get things done.

When OpenAI launched ChatGPT, with zero fanfare, in late November 2022, nobody inside the company was prepared for a viral mega-hit. It was viewed in-house as a "research preview," a tease of a more polished version of a two-year-old technology and a way to iron out some of its flaws. But then it absolutely blew up. The firm has been scrambling to catch up--and capitalize on its success--ever since. To get the inside story behind the chatbot--how it was made, how OpenAI has been updating it since release, and how its makers feel about its success--our senior AI editor Will Douglas Heaven talked to four people who helped build what has become the most popular internet app ever.

Britain's fertility regulator is meeting to decide whether or not to allow so-called'three-parent baby' treatments for inherited diseases (stock image used) Mexican clinic plans 20 three-parent babies in 2017:... Crop spray makes wheat 20% larger... and it's GM free!... The robotic arm you can control with your MIND: Researchers... Thinking with your hands can boost creativity: Children who... Mexican clinic plans 20 three-parent babies in 2017:... Crop spray makes wheat 20% larger... and it's GM free!... The robotic arm you can control with your MIND: Researchers... Thinking with your hands can boost creativity: Children who... A fertility clinic in Mexico which helped a couple to conceive the world's first'three-parent baby' says it plans to conceive a further 20 babies using the technique in the first half of 2017 (stock image used) WHY IS THE METHOD CONTROVERSIAL? Dr John Zhang, head of the New York City embryonic team, holds the world's first'three-person' baby after the boy was born in Mexico in April.