I don't pay for ChatGPT, Perplexity, Gemini, or Claude – I stick to my self-h (www.xda-developers.com)

In a recent article, a tech enthusiast shares their preference for self-hosted language models over popular cloud-based AI services like ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Claude. They highlight the convenience and capabilities of models run locally using Ollama, allowing them to leverage their existing hardware without the security risks associated with cloud platforms. By self-hosting, the author not only maintains control over their private data—ranging from financial documents to personal scripts—but also circumvents the costs associated with premium API access, significantly reducing their overall expenses. The significance of this approach for the AI/ML community lies in promoting the benefits of open-source, self-hosted solutions, which can democratize access to advanced AI capabilities. The author effectively utilizes local LLMs for automation tasks, smart home integrations, and even document management, demonstrating the growing maturity of this technology. They report impressive performance with older GPUs, showcasing that advanced AI tools do not necessarily require the latest hardware, thus encouraging individuals to explore self-hosted options to enhance productivity and privacy without breaking the bank.