Pick the Right Model
Choose between GPT-OSS, hosted OpenAI models, and other open models based on privacy, offline access, cost, customization, and model quality.
Course · AI Foundations & Prompting
How to run OpenAI’s open weight models locally on your computer
Dr. Alvaro Cintas PhD AI Professor
Workshop recording
10 chapters · 1h 2m · Beginner
About this course
Run open-weight reasoning models on your own computer with Ollama and LM Studio while balancing hardware limits, privacy, model size, and hosted testing options.
What you'll learn
6 outcomesEvaluate Hardware Fit
Assess whether GPT-OSS 20B or 120B fits your machine by comparing memory, parameter size, architecture, benchmarks, and practical performance needs.
Run Models with Ollama
Install Ollama and run GPT-OSS locally from the terminal, with smaller model alternatives ready when your computer cannot handle larger models.
Use LM Studio Locally
Use LM Studio to download local models, chat through a visual interface, and query local documents with retrieval-augmented generation.
Protect Private Data
Decide when fine-tuning, retrieval, or local execution is appropriate for sensitive legal, healthcare, finance, research, coding, or internal business workflows.
Experiment Safely
Test hosted demos safely for quick experimentation while keeping sensitive prompts and files reserved for local workflows.
Course curriculum
1 part · 10 chapters