Is a local model as good as ChatGPT?

For many tasks, like sorting, searching and drafting, open models are good enough. For the hardest tasks a cloud model can still be better, and we decide case by case which data may go there.

Where exactly does it run?

On a Swiss cloud server or on your own hardware, whichever you prefer. You know the location and you hold the keys.

Does this make me nLPD compliant?

It helps, because you control where data goes. Compliance also depends on your processes, so the legal check stays with you.

Français

Private AI, hosted in Switzerland or on your own servers

Some data should not travel. If you work with client files, health data or anything confidential, I set up AI that runs in Switzerland or on your own servers, so you decide where your data lives and who can reach it.

What it looks like

An internal assistant that answers from your own documents
AI that runs on a Swiss cloud server, or on a machine in your office
Open models for the tasks where they are good enough
A separate, isolated server per client or per team
Backups you have actually tested restoring

How it works

01Decide what stays whereWe sort your data into what may use a cloud model, what must stay in Switzerland and what must never leave your servers.
02Set it upI install the stack, the models and the connections, behind proper sign-in.
03Keep it runningNightly backups, a restore test you can see, and updates you know about.

Things I have built

Dbrain
My own data runs on a server at home, with nightly backups and a weekly restore test.
Neonduck
For customers in Switzerland, every person gets their own isolated server. Delete the account and the server goes too.
Lightbox
AI photo sorting for a self-hosted photo library, inside the same home stack.

Good to know

Personal and business data can be kept apart in the same system.
It is built to help you meet the Swiss data protection act (nLPD). The legal assessment stays with you or your lawyer.
I work in French, English, German and Dutch.

Questions

Is a local model as good as ChatGPT?: For many tasks, like sorting, searching and drafting, open models are good enough. For the hardest tasks a cloud model can still be better, and we decide case by case which data may go there.
Where exactly does it run?: On a Swiss cloud server or on your own hardware, whichever you prefer. You know the location and you hold the keys.
Does this make me nLPD compliant?: It helps, because you control where data goes. Compliance also depends on your processes, so the legal check stays with you.

Tell me what you are working on

A few lines are enough. I reply by email. david.v@emineon.com