Explainer · 06

Does it really work offline?

Yes. Once the model is installed, a private AI machine answers questions with the network cable unplugged and Wi-Fi switched off. It's the simplest proof that nothing you type is being sent anywhere.

What keeps working without internet

  1. Chat

    Asking questions, drafting, rewriting and summarising.

  2. Your documents

    Searching and asking questions across files stored on the machine.

  3. Coding help

    Writing, explaining and reviewing code.

  4. Images

    Generating and editing images, on machines set up for it.

What needs a connection

  • Downloading new models. Getting a newer or different model means downloading it — on your schedule, when you choose to.
  • Software updates. Security and app updates, again when you decide.
  • Anything live. Browsing the web or checking today's news. A local model only knows what it was trained on and what's on the machine.

Why it matters

Offline isn't a party trick. It means an internet outage doesn't stop work, a provider having a bad day doesn't stop work, and a service being discontinued doesn't stop work.

And for confidential material, it's the one test anybody can run themselves: if it answers with the cable out, the thinking happened in the room.