I'm just starting out with programming and learning the basics like variables, data types, and conditionals. The reason I got interested in programming is the excitement around AI. My goal is to build a simple AI that can help with GED preparation by training it on some OpenStax textbooks. I want to focus on a few hundred books instead of thousands since many folks in my area don't have internet access. My plan is to develop this AI on my laptop and distribute it offline, specifically for MS Windows. Is this feasible? What options do I have, and what skills should I focus on learning?
1 Answer
What you're really aiming to create isn't exactly AI in the traditional sense, but rather a semantic search engine. You can think of it this way: a semantic search engine helps you retrieve information based on meaning rather than just keywords. There's an open-source project called Semantra that could either serve as a solid learning tool or a base for your own project. Keep in mind, though, that these kinds of projects can be quite complex, especially for beginners. If you're set on this path, consider looking into a 'pocket AI' like Ollama. There’s a great guide by Hemanth that can help you set up a local search engine using your files. Just remember, the best way to learn is to jump in and start building! Good luck!
Thank you so much for sharing those resources! They’re really helpful.

I think going the 'pocket AI' route might be easier for you. There are plenty of straightforward tutorials out there for setting up Ollama with decent models. You can refine your search results using your textbooks, but that might complicate things a bit. Also, just a heads up: you'll need a pretty powerful laptop to handle it all, or else you might be stuck with smaller models and slow response times.