Build Your Own Chatbot: Local Applications in Generative AI on your Laptop In-Person
Most people know cloud-based generative AI tools like ChatGPT, but did you know that the powerful technology behind them, transformer-based Large Language Models (LLMs), can also run directly on a modern laptop?
In this hands-on, in-person workshop, you’ll explore how these AI systems work and learn how to set up and run a basic chatbot locally on your own computer. Gain a foundational understanding of transformer-based LLMs and discover how to harness their power without relying on the cloud.
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:
- Understand the core principles behind transformer-based large language models
- Set up and run a basic chatbot AI on a personal laptop
- Explore practical applications and limitations of locally hosted generative AI
This session is perfect for anyone curious about AI who wants to experiment with running models independently!
Details: Any preparatory work for the session can be found on its information page. This workshop will not be recorded.
Facilitator Bio:
John Fink is the Digital Scholarship Librarian in the Sherman Centre.
- Date:
- Wednesday, September 17, 2025
- Time:
- 2:00pm - 3:30pm
- Time Zone:
- Eastern Time - US & Canada (change)
- Location:
- Sherman Centre for Digital Scholarship (1st Floor, Mills Library)
- Audience:
- Open (McMaster + Community)
- Categories:
- Returning DMDS SCDS Sponsored Events Workshops
THE SHERMAN CENTRE FOR DIGITAL SCHOLARSHIP
The Sherman Centre for Digital Scholarship (SCDS), located in McMaster University Library, provides consulting, instruction, and technical support to faculty, staff, students, and community members for all aspects of digital scholarship — from teaching and training to research, dissemination, and beyond.
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CODE OF CONDUCT
The Sherman Centre and the McMaster University Library are committed to fostering a supportive and inclusive environment for its presenters and participants. As a participant in this session, you agree to support and help cultivate an experience that is collaborative, respectful, and inclusive, as well as free of harassment, discrimination, and oppression. We reserve the right to remove participants who exhibit harassing, malicious or persistently disruptive behaviour. Please refer to our code of conduct webpage for more information.
The Sherman Centre for Digital Scholarship supports McMaster students, faculty, and staff, as well as anyone curious about digital scholarship. From research and teaching to training and technical support, we’re here to help bring digital projects to life at every stage!
Send us an Email
View our Website
Book a Consultation
Subscribe to the SCDS Newsletter
