Osaurus releases Mac app that runs AI locally or in the cloud

In short: Osaurus has launched an open source Mac app that lets you use different AI models either on your own Mac or through cloud services.

What happened

Osaurus is a new Mac-only app that acts like a hub for AI models. It lets people choose between running an AI model locally, meaning on their own computer, or using a cloud AI provider, meaning the work happens on someone else’s servers over the internet.

The company says the key idea is that your files, tools, and the assistant’s “memory” can stay on your Mac, even if you switch between different AI models. Think of it like keeping your documents in a filing cabinet at home, while you sometimes call different helpers for advice.

Osaurus can connect to local models like Llama and DeepSeek, and also to cloud services like OpenAI and Anthropic, according to the company. It also includes voice features and plug-ins that can work with everyday Mac apps and functions, like Mail, Calendar, browser access, and file searching.

Osaurus says it runs the AI in a virtual sandbox (like a playpen on your computer) to limit what the AI can reach. This is meant to reduce security risks.

Running AI locally can require a lot of memory. Osaurus recommends at least 64 GB of RAM, and around 128 GB for larger models.

Why it matters

More people want AI help without sending private files to the internet. Tools like Osaurus aim to make that easier, but many Macs may not have enough memory to run bigger AI models smoothly.

Source: TechCrunch AI